Sean Barrett (Independent)
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I welcome the members of the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council. The last time we were here it turned out that I had taught everybody except one member of the delegation, so I had better praise their work.

Professor McHale's own role was a troika suggestion which I strongly supported. Does it enhance his role when troika have left? Will he still have contacts with them? Will he be consulted in the preparation of the new national development plan? When I tabled amendments to the Finance Act that Professor McHale's council should be consulted, the Minister for Finance, Deputy Noonan, was quite willing to consult it but the departmental officials said it was not in the council's mandate. They also said the council would seek a bigger budget if its advice was sought. Will the Department of Finance try to absorb the council or does it respect the council members' independence and professionalism, which I do?