Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I do not propose to accept the amendment. As Deputy Doherty noted, we thrashed this issue out on Committee Stage, but it is worth stating my position once again. The Fiscal Council has been established to address gaps in fiscal policy analysis and provide assessments and recommendations in regard to fiscal policy. Imposing a wide mandate on the council would require a much greater level of resources in terms of staff and budgetary allocations. Furthermore, expanding its mandate would be likely to impede its ability to fulfil its core functions, including those specified in the treaty. It is imperative that the council has the resources it needs to complete its core functions. Expanding its functions may stretch its resources to a point at which its attention is distracted from its primary role. We do not want this to happen. If other functions were to be assigned to the council, legislative amendments would be required. A number of bodies already supported by the State, such as the ESRI and the National Economic and Social Council, produce reports which consider all aspects of policy development, including social impacts.

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