Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I have two points to make on costings. I fully concur with and support the setting up of an independent budget office, an economic service for the Oireachtas. My Department will give any help it can to set up such an office and for the duration of the set-up period. If Deputy Cullinane or any Deputy has concerns on costings that need to be done or concerns about the flow of information to this or any other committee, we will endeavour to respond to him or her.

I concur with what the Minister for Finance, Deputy Noonan, said on the constitutional role of the Executive vis-à-visthe Government. I also draw the committee's attention to the OECD report from which I quoted earlier. Another section of the report on new areas of engagement states, "It must be recognised that this can only be done within the limits of the existing constitution." The report also states:

“Enhanced parliamentary engagement” does not entail simply displacing the views of the executive branch with the views of parliamentarians; but rather ensuring that the legitimate views and insights of parliamentarians are brought to bear upon budget deliberations.

That is what we will endeavour to do.