Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick East, Fine Gael)

As we have an economic crisis, will the Minister agree that it is time to change the budgetary process to allow the Estimates and annual output statements to be debated well in advance of the pre-budget outlook? Will the Minister allow the Opposition to have an input into the Estimates whereby they can be changed by moving figures from one area to another to bring about efficiencies? Standing Orders can be amended to allow this to happen. At present, the Opposition has not seen the Estimates on budget day and there is no proper discourse. Perhaps these changes could take place. I would like the Minister to take that on board.

With regard to the McCarthy review report and the report of an bord snip nua, will the Minister recommend to the Cabinet that the report be published immediately? Will he call an emergency meeting of the Cabinet so that it can be published before the Dáil goes into recess? These are critical issues on which I would like to hear the Minister's view.

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