Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

This Vote has been sought as a Supplementary Estimate by the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources. I am sure he will be able to justify the request on the floor of the House, but Members of the Opposition are at a significant disadvantage in that we do have and have not been provided with the detail of what is being sought and the purpose and intent of same. Inquiries by my office this morning to a number of potential sources, including the Minister's office directly, have resulted in a zero response. It might be described as budgetary confidentiality that applies to the detail of this, and we will not know what is involved until the Minister stands before us and outlines the detail of what he seeks. That places members of the Opposition at a distinct disadvantage. I urge the Minister and the Taoiseach to revisit this matter. Presenting this Supplementary Estimate on the Order of Business and expecting us to make an informed judgment of the appropriateness or otherwise of what is sought is impossible. We must wing it, literally, until the Minister takes the floor. However, we are prepared to give him that chance.

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