Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)

I understand we will have a new Finance Bill and a new Social Welfare Bill. I thank the Minister for the briefing we received on the state of the tax affairs and spending projections. What are the ground rules for the debate we are entering into? Will we see a new approach to Dáil evaluation, whereby the House would be presented with the options under consideration in each Department and the impact of the different options so there can be a mature debate in the House on the best way to tackle this problem? Will we have the same situation we have seen in the past, where the Government produces a pre-cooked passage offered to the Dáil on a take it or leave it basis on one day, which will be 1 April? What will happen?

Will we have a genuine opportunity to engage with options so the House can look at different options and see what is best suited to this challenge or will we return to the old situation? Let us be honest. People have said the Opposition should participate and put forward its proposals. There is no point in putting forward proposals if the Government will use them as sticks to beat the Opposition and not put its options on the table as well.

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