David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Absolutely. I wish academics well and I am sure it is very interesting for them. However, policy makers are key to this issue. Has there been any interaction between the Department of Finance or the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the European Commission in regard to using GNI*? If it is the accepted position of the Minister for Finance, Deputy Donohoe, and the Secretary General of the Department of Finance, Mr. Moran, that GDP is, as has been said, irrelevant, unrealistic and not to be depended upon and that GNI* is more appropriate, have we made any recommendations that this is not a one-size-fits-all situation and that debt to GNI, which would be a more accurate reflection of our debt versus what is happening in the economy, be used instead?