Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)

I am grateful to the Deputy for having trust in me and his attempt to ensure I will not be overshadowed on budget day. As I stated just before he returned to the Chamber, I have a good relationship with the Minister for Finance and we have enough to do individually to keep us occupied. In fact, at recent Cabinet meetings, where I sit beside the Minister for Finance, he told me he believed we needed a third Minister because we were so busy. We are fully occupied.

The amendment refers to the legislation in Part 2 of Schedule 2, under which the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform should consult the Minister for Finance. Part 2 refers to the review provisions in the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Acts. The Bill before us provides that the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform will, as correctly pointed out by Deputy Fleming, consult the Minister for Finance in carrying out his review functions under the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Acts. The legislation in question requires that regard be had to the revenue of the State and the national competitiveness and it is, therefore, appropriate that the Minister for Finance would be consulted on such matters.

The Exchequer pay bill for 2011 alone is estimated at €14.7 billion. The role of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Act 2009 in the determination and containment of the cost of such a significant amount of public expenditure demands that the primary role of the legislation should fall to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. Section 7 of the Act requires that the Minister for Finance undertake a review of the operation, effectiveness and impact of this legislation, having regard to the overall economic condition of the State and national competitiveness, before 30 June 2011 and annually thereafter. Deputy Fleming may have been in the House during enactment of that legislation and will be aware that, while it is draconian legislation, it is required by the perilous state of our economy. It is right and proper that it would be reviewed. Both parties in Government agree it should be reviewed and this is provided for in the programme for Government. As it is an expenditure matter, that function should fall to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. Also, as it impacts on the State's revenue the Minister for Finance must be part of that process and should be consulted.

Although I am extremely grateful for Deputy Fleming's support, I believe the process in place, whereby I would undertake the review in consultation with the Minister for Finance, is probably the appropriate way of advancing this.

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