Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)

Given that we are in a transition period to a general election and a likely change of Government, does the Minister agree that it would be appropriate for the information supplied to the International Monetary Fund and European Union by the institutions to which the Minister referred to be made available to the Opposition parties at the same time as it is provided to the IMF and EU?

On a related matter, will the Minister agree to put in place contingency arrangements given that a change of Government is likely prior to the conclusion of the first reporting period at the end of March 2011, as set out in the memorandum of understanding? In the run-up to the most recent general election in the United Kingdom, contingency arrangements were made for the change of government. Is it not appropriate, therefore, to have in place contingency arrangements with the Opposition with regard to this terribly important matter?

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