Feargal Quinn (Independent)

When is it intended to bring the Finance Bill before the House? As I suspect it will not be for some months, we need to have an urgent debate on various aspects of the economy. For instance, the Government is responsible for some of the price rises which have led to inflation. ESB bills are up 12%, the television licence fee is up €150 and VHI premia are to rise by a further 18%. Inflation will be a challenge to the economy this year. We learned yesterday of a slump in tax income in the last month, benchmarking has become an issue – which I am sure Senator O'Toole would be happy to debate – and the social partnership deal is pending. Are we to wait until this is a fait accompli before we debate it or will we have a regular debate on the economy in the House? Will the Leader ensure this can happen in some form or other? It may be that other debates pending will enable us to do so but let us not wait until the Finance Bill is before us and it is all over.

The opening of Cabinet papers after five or ten years must have a serious impact on the ability of any Cabinet to do its work correctly. I believe totally in freedom of information but a Cabinet which knows its papers will be open to the public in five or ten years time will be affected. We must take steps to ensure the Cabinet works more efficiently without this provision hanging over its head.