Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I can see that the Deputy is suggesting a formal impact assessment but such a process cannot substitute effectively for the ongoing responsibility the commission or any public body would have to manage its functions effectively or for the ultimate responsibility of the Government and this House to make political choices in the allocation of resources. I do not need to speak here about the challenges of different levels of expenditure for various agencies or EU obligations, and the decisions we have to make in that respect, day in, day out. Resources are limited and additional expenditure demands or costs, arising for whatever reason, will have to be paid for through expenditure reductions elsewhere, or through the raising of additional revenue. These are challenging issues in respect of the allocation of resources. The amendment does not change that reality and will not be of any help to this Government or any future Government in making difficult decisions on allocation of resources.

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