Thomas Pringle (Donegal South West, Independent)
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204. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform as part of the spring economic statements 2015, the transparency measures that will be put in place to ensure that the national economic dialogue with civil society groups will be a fair and inclusive process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18127/15]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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As outlined in the Spring Economic Statement (SES), it is the Government's intention to hold a National Economic Dialogue in July of this year.  This dialogue will be held over two days. The precise arrangements for the dialogue are being finalised by my Department and the Department of Finance. I am committed to  ensuring that the process is as open and inclusive as possible and representatives of civil society will naturally be invited to participate.   We will also be making arrangements to live stream as much of the dialogue as possible.

It will be an opportunity to consider how to best use the available resources as set out in the SES.  The SES has provided the broad parameters that will underpin the discussion of fiscal and economic policy well in advance of the October Budget and has set out the fiscal space available, in the order of €1.2 billion to €1.5 billion for 2016. For the discussions to help inform the work of the Government in deciding on Budget options and measures in line with our EU obligations, it is important that they reflect the economic and fiscal context within which budgetary decisions will be arrived.

The Spring Economic Statement and the National Economic Dialogue are appropriate reforms to the domestic budgetary process that are intended to facilitate an open and frank discussion about fiscal options and priorities in light of the changes to the budgetary and economic surveillance at EU level.

These reforms to the budgetary process should be seen as adding to the wide-ranging reforms to the budgetary architecture, introduced by this Government over the last few years.  These wider reforms have been informed by the core principle that a more open and transparent process, allowing for clearer accountability and oversight, supports the efficient use of public funds to deliver effective services for citizens.