Kathryn Reilly (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 12:

In page 8, subsection 4, between lines 15 and 16, to insert the following: ?(a) provide an assessment of whether the fiscal and budgetary policy of the Government is contributing to economic growth, job creation, the delivery of high quality public services, greater income equality, social inclusion and poverty reduction,?.

We welcome the establishment of the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council because the more independent analysis provided, the better. We have been critical of some of the council's recommendations but that should not be understood as an objection to its establishment. However, its terms of reference as outlined in the Bill restrict its ability to assist governments in making the right economic decisions. This amendment would expand the council's remit to include the stimulation of economic growth, job creation, the delivery of high-quality public services and poverty reduction in its assessments of the impact of fiscal policies.