Gerry Horkan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Leader for outlining the business of the day. The Economic and Social Research Institute, ESRI, has warned that the economy could fall into recession next year as a result of Brexit, although we all hope that will not happen, and that an additional budget could be needed if that is the case. If Brexit goes okay, people and businesses that have deferred decisions may all decide to put their foot to the floor, which may cause further overheating in certain areas of the economy. It is important we all acknowledge, as we do, that Brexit remains highly uncertain, with a great deal of risk. I do not doubt that the Minister for Finance pays attention to what the ESRI indicated in respect of the budget. Our spokespersons, such as Deputy Michael McGrath, are involved with the Minister in advance of the budget, which will be published in less than two weeks. There is such uncertainty and we need to be cognisant of bodies such as the ESRI when they publish reports.

I raise the issue of moral hazard if the rainy day fund is used. It is not so long since we debated the legislation on the fund and it would be unfortunate if almost as soon as we have invested the money, we remove it. What the Department officials stated in their notes, namely, that using the State's rainy day fund for Brexit planning would lead to a moral hazard, is fair. The fund was set up for very exceptional, one-off events. While Brexit is very unusual in one way, we are now more than three years into the process and we know it will happen, irrespective of how bad it may be. I would be more comfortable if we did not use and deplete the rainy day fund only months after we invested the initial money therein.

I welcome the fact that the Attorney General has granted a fresh inquest into the deaths in the Stardust fire in 1981. The decision is welcome for the families, despite it being so long after the event. I was only a child when it happened but I remember the wide outpouring of grief. It was such an appalling tragedy, with 48 deaths. Many of the families in question believed they would never get justice. I hope the inquest will give some level of closure, albeit so belated, to the grieving relatives of so many people.