Frank Fahey (Galway West, Fianna Fail)

No legislation has been passed in this House that did not have conditions attached in respect of resources. All legislation is predicated on the availability of resources and this Bill is no exception. The Long Title reflects what is contained in the Bill. If the members of the Opposition who have spoken on this section of the Bill were in Government, the situation would not be any different.

I do not agree with Deputy Finian McGrath's assertion that there is an opportunity to change the legislation. There is no such opportunity. I have had robust discussions with the Minister for Finance and his officials about this issue. The fundamental elements of good governance and responsible public expenditure are laid down in the procedures pertaining to the budgetary and Estimates requirements of the Department of Finance and all other Departments. It is not possible to diverge from that.

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