Michael McCarthy (Cork South West, Labour)
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I thank the Minister for his response. It is welcome that the Department is favourably disposed to using the template. It has been difficult in recent years to develop a process into which the committee can have an input in consideration of the Estimates. Invariably, as a policy, there will be a huge discussion on it. Getting the template correct to begin with is of huge benefit to us all. Does the Minister intend to ensure progress will continue to be made on a co-operative basis? For example, all going well today, will he commit to this being the process into the future, although I accept that may not be possible, given that, in the context of the forthcoming general election, we will probably have a new Government and new committees next year?