Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

Yesterday I raised an issue pertaining to promised legislation and the significant variation in the growth rates projected by the Government last April compared to its figures for this year, which project not only lower growth rates but also lower GDP, GNP, job creation and higher unemployment and public debt between 2012 and 2015. Alarmingly, there has been a significant reduction in the estimate for employment creation between last year and this year. The Government is predicting that 40,000 fewer net new jobs will be created between 2012 and 2015. The fiscal responsibility Bill is important and the Taoiseach indicated that the heads of Bills of this nature would be published in advance of the draft legislation to facilitate discussion.

The Taoiseach has said from the outset of his time in office that the accuracy and credibility of growth targets and estimates are critical to future policy formulation. In that context, can he indicate when the fiscal responsibility Bill will be published and whether it is his intention to allow the House access to the draft heads of the Bill?

Has the Taoiseach clarified with the Minister for Defence whether invitations to the event at Custume barracks were issued solely to Fine Gael and Labour Party councillors and that representatives of other partiers were not invited?

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