Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is an important part. I agree with Senator McDowell that a lot of our work as politicians is about the prioritisation of funding and budgetary decisions. That is key. It is not always about law. A lot of our work is around how we spend taxpayers' money and how we collect it. I agree that that is an important decision and that it should be kept with politicians. That is a personal view. The committee can thrash this out but I have to agree that it is our job and it is what we are elected to do. We represent people to do that. The committee can decide that. A report will come back to both Houses and we will tease that out as well.

It is the right committee because the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform is not only about budgets. It is also about reforming the provision of services through all the Departments and it has a role in that. Now that we are entering into better economic times, it should have a greater role in the reform of services and deliverability across the various Departments. This is where it belongs.

I compliment Senator Coffey. I agree with the Senator that the budget yesterday rightly reflect increased resources in key areas of health, education and housing, as well as other areas. Those are the three important basics. When one is down to basic rights, those are key - education, health and housing. We are responding to that with increased resources. For the first time, the education budget has exceeded €10 billion, which is an important milestone in this country. We need to keep adding to that in the years ahead as well. I am glad the Senator mentioned it today as well rather than focus only on housing.

I have dealt with that. As the House will be aware, the Government will not agree with the amendment but I will let the House itself vote on that.