Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)

I thank the Deputy for her positive comments. In terms of transparency, it is constitutionally a matter for the Government to formulate the budget and to present it to the House. All of the documentation will eventually be published, but I want to allow the broadest possible discussion and analysis within the Cabinet. I have opened up the process to ensure it is not the routine salami-slicing affair and I hope significant new approaches will emerge from that. However, all of this must be analysed by Government. It would do damage to the decision-making process if every idea were put out there, even those never likely to be acceptable to Government, until the proper constitutional role of the Government itself to make decisions is determined. After that, all the presentations to my Department will be made available for consideration by Members opposite and others.

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