Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

I support the appointment of a second Secretary General to the Department of the Taoiseach. This has been warranted for some time and it is a necessary appointment, particularly in terms of both the economic and European sides. Given the role of the Economic Management Council, will the Taoiseach confirm, as outlined to the House, that we will be able to ask questions about its work and that no effort will be made to shield it behind the status of a Cabinet committee?

Over recent days, we have witnessed a string of Ministers engaging in media appearances and using them to explain that economic documents are either before Government or due to come before Government in the near future. Given that Cabinet confidentiality does not seem to extend to media briefings, will the Taoiseach ensure the House has the same right as the media to ask questions about the work of his Department and in particular the work of the Economic Management Council?

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