Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

To clarify, I asked the Taoiseach about any pre-budget submissions that might have been made. Clearly, I do not simply want the number of submissions that were made. What would be interesting, useful and essential to have on the public record would be the nature of those submissions and what exactly they asked for.

It is reasonable that the Government would meet with representatives of essential sectors of the economy - that stands to reason. The worry here is that this kind of privileged access - I believe that is the right terminology - affords to this sector privileges that are not enjoyed by others. In addition, given the economic catastrophe that has been visited on this State because of the bad behaviour and, in some cases, the corruption of financial institutions, there is now a more acute sense among the public of the necessity to have plain dealing and transparency, particularly around the financial services sector. When he responds, will the Taoiseach confirm that he will give full details of any pre-budget submissions and their content?

As a matter of curiosity, would he have had sight of any such submissions? Is it simply officials who deal with them or would he have had occasion to read and consider these types of documents?

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