Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

One of the issues raised most frequently by the Opposition with the Government on legislation was when the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform would be formally established and the legislation introduced. Several Deputies on the Opposition benches have been asking us for some time to have this Department formally established and the legislation passed so that they could put questions to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and have the normal accountability for it.

This morning we have the legislation before the House and the Opposition asks us to delay it. Deputy Ó Cuív does not want it concluded until next week. This is legislation that we were told he wanted to do quickly.

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