Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I think we would all agree that aspirations have still to become a reality. The self-appointed Economic Management Council has been widely criticised for falling beyond the reach of democratic oversight. Given the gravity of the decisions made concerning public expenditure and income, the budgetary process must be open to greater scrutiny. Surely, open government must include increased transparency and accountability, as discussed concerning the budget, if it is to be a meaningful initiative and not just a window dressing exercise, as it still appears to be. Will the increased transparency promised in the open government initiative mean that the Economic Management Council will be disbanded in favour of a meaningful engagement of Cabinet, members of the Dáil and civil society when it comes to the budget? Will the Minister support proposals by civil society to include equality proofing of budgets and the publication of such analysis in the open government initiative to give greater access to information to citizens and legislators?

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