Paul Bradford (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State, the Bill and the interesting suggestion made by Senator Quinn. It is fair to say that this Bill, in tandem with other proposals on public expenditure and reform and planning and development matters, is part of the Government agenda of not simply trying to modernise our economic planning and development but to ensure taxpayers get value for money.

Traditionally, Irish Governments have been very good at spending money and have sometimes spent money they did not have. From a Revenue perspective we have been quite good at collecting money. The question of planning, development and using our resources most effectively have been a weak point. It is fair to say that only one Government since the foundation of the State had a Department of economic planning and development, namely, Minister Martin O'Donoghue in the 1970s. Not everything worked as planned on that occasion but the concept of long-term economic planning and development was a good idea. Just because it failed, for various political reasons, on that occasion does not mean it is something which we should completely disregard.

Private citizens plan their finances and expenditure, as do households and businesses, and so should a nation. That is why the Bill is so welcome. It will put a greater onus on the Government to plan. It will also, I hope, which is important in the broader debate about political change and reform, put a bigger political onus on all Deputies and Senators to talk about expenditure, planning, investment and how we spend taxpayers' money.

We have not yet truly moved away from the concept of the budget taking place in November or December, as has been the case for the past decade or so. It previously took place in January. There was a one or two-day debate on the budget which was the only detailed analysis one had on Government expenditure and financial proposals. The changing budgetary structures, debates, the new laws we are putting in place and the Fiscal Responsibility Act create an obligation not just on Government. Rather, there will be an obligation on the all sides of the Oireachtas to try to contribute to the solution. The public is demanding of everybody, including the Government and Opposition, that in putting the country first we consider big ideas and problems, and take whatever measures are necessary. In so far as this forces politicians to be more mature about the economic debate, it is very welcome.

A deep-rooted analysis of our spending and economic planning cannot but be of long-term benefits to the country. That is why what Senator Quinn spoke about is a valuable addition to the debate. It is to be hoped the Minister of State will have something positive to say in response.

The billions of euro spent in this country come from taxpayers as well as being borrowed. At the core of spending we must have absolute value for money and spend in proper areas. The Bill puts obligations on us in that regard, which is to be welcomed.

The Minister of State and his Government colleagues are at the latter stages of planning for the October budget. The Dáil and Seanad will go into recess shortly and will return in September. The budget will be around the corner. We are not getting sufficient time, as individual Members of the Oireachtas, to give a prebudget view on the expenditure side and make suggestions. When the Houses return in September there will only be one month before the budget will be finalised.

I ask for a debate on the choices facing the country. The public expects all of us to be realistic about budgetary and fiscal matters. The day of the Government making announcements on budget day and the Opposition opposing everything is passé. It is bad politics and we need to move on from it.

I look forward, if possible, to having a debate in September on the budgetary choices facing the Government and all of us. I again thank the Minister of State for introducing the Bill. It is very helpful and is part of the broader reform agenda. It is good for the taxpayer and politics, and makes us all face up to our responsibilities in a more meaningful fashion.