Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The budget for the Department of the Taoiseach is revised downwards from €35.891 million to €33.391 million, a 9% reduction. Only when we consider the bigger figures do we fully realise the significance of the €5 million SCU figure. That would have represented something like 15% of the Estimate for the Department, so the Taoiseach obviously attached very considerable weight to that initiative.

When we have asked about the unit, its disbandment and the report spearheaded by the Secretary General of the Department, each of us in turn has asked about the market research. The Taoiseach said there would be consultation with Opposition parties. That has not happened. Can he make clear for us today what is the status of that market research, what form the consultation with other parties will take and when that will happen?

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