Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 5 to 11, inclusive, together.

The council has met on 15 occasions during 2015. The last meeting took place on 16 September. The council met on six occasions in April this year.

The Governor of the Central Bank has attended a number of council meetings since the Government came into office. As a Cabinet committee, confidentiality of discussions at the Economic Management Council are protected by the Constitution and, in line with long-standing practice, it is not appropriate to answer questions about proceedings at the council and the agendas of past or future meetings.

The council provides a forum to discuss strategic issues before they are presented to Government for consideration and decision. This may include issues of a budgetary nature.

Like other Cabinet committees, it does not replace the role of Government where all Ministers have an opportunity to contribute to decision-making. The budget was discussed and agreed by the entire Cabinet.

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