Caít Keane (Fine Gael)

I thought I would contribute to the debate on the Bill which represents such an important part of everything we do. Everything we do in this House should be based on the objectives behind the Bill. Fiscal responsibility is the aim of everybody elected to this House, of everybody who is not elected to it and of those behind the Members elected. This gives us the opportunity to put our best foot forward and say where we see good and where we see things that should be supported.

The Minister of State has said the Seanad has responsibility for its own actions. I have a few questions for him. He spoke about the Fiscal Advisory Council which we know is an independent body. I presume this would prevent a person such as Senator Sean D. Barrett from being nominated or being an adviser to the council. However, although the Senator has been elected, he is an Independent and his expertise in the Bill demonstrates he has valuable knowledge that might be of advantage to it. He would be seen to be independent because a Senator is not elected as an Independent unless he or she is independent.

Section 7 of the Bill refers to keeping within the limits, except "in extremis". What the Minister of the day might regard as extreme might not be extreme in the view of the general populace. I do not know who would determine what would constitute extreme conditions. We are currently experiencing extreme conditions.

I read the explanatory memorandum in an effort to find out where in the Bill reference was made to what had been agreed with the European Union. It states a reformed budget formation process should be put in place. The Minister has stated the Government will bring forth legislation in this regard. I wonder whether it would be possible to incorporate in Senator Sean D. Barrett's Bill the need to take into consideration what is coming down the road in the European Union. We do not yet know what has been agreed.

The Minister of State, Deputy Brian Hayes, referred to the stormy weather rule. I do not know what it is. We are in stormy waters and I would like to know what the rule is. It might perhaps be incorporated into the Bill.