Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Members for their support in this important issue. As Deputy Howlin pointed out, when the previous Government was appointed in 2011, the situation was well-nigh catastrophic economically. Both of the people to whom he referred were quite extraordinary. I have rarely met anybody of the calibre and quality of my own party's nominee as economic adviser. He is capable of running any of the institutions Deputy Howlin mentioned and has a particularly strong, trained economic mind. It was important that there be a balance between the Department of the Taoiseach and the other two Departments, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the Department of Finance. I have looked to replace that person but it is well-nigh impossible. It is not that I have given up. Instead, I have reassigned responsibilities in the area of policy and programme implementation.

We have a very close relationship with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the Department of Finance and it would be through the Department of Finance that a White Paper would come to Government. Deputies will be aware of the changed situation in which there is now a spring economic statement. Bodies such as the national economic forum, the independent Irish Fiscal Advisory Council, the ESRI and other institutions put forward economic views and perceptions but the Government would adopt a White Paper on the basis of what would come from the Department of Finance. Any appointment would have to be commensurate with the ability of which I have spoken, and Deputy Howlin is correct that if one looks for somebody with an exceptional capacity, one has to remunerate them accordingly. It is true to say that cheap publicity can be gained by saying a person is being paid such an amount for doing a job.

This is about our country. It is about maintaining steady management of the economy in very difficult times. As Deputy Martin pointed out, Brexit will not go away. It will have implications for us all on this island. The new Administration in America will have global implications. In this sense, it is important that we understand that in a partnership situation, this entity requires different thinking, different consultation and different support in order to keep it moving in the interests of the country. This is an important consideration. It is not that I have decided not to make an appointment. The particular kind of person we need is not that easy to find. In the meantime, I have reassigned responsibilities to two very capable people who are working on policy and programme implementation.

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