Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I appreciate that. This is long overdue. I welcome that the Government has agreed to it. While this issue has arisen as a result of the, in my view, nonsensical debate in regard to budgetary costings, budgets were never costed by the Opposition until 2011. This is something new that has crept into the debate, although it is somewhat welcome. The debate around whether all proposals or individual measures should be costed should be a thing of the past.

I also believe that not only budgetary costings but policy proposals should be addressed. For example, the issue of child care costs was raised earlier. If a proposal in terms of a policy for child care is put forward it is important we have the option of having an independent analysis of its implications, outside of general manifestos already provided. I welcome the Minister's comments on this matter and hope that the process moves along at a pace that is necessary to allow this to be put in place as quickly as possible, while ensuring the system is robust. I have concerns around whether the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council would be the best vehicle to do this. However, I and my party are open to engaging with the Minister on this matter.

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