I wish to acknowledge the tremendous work of the Committee on Budgetary Oversight. In the previous Dáil, I was a member of the committee and really enjoyed that role. It is a great opportunity to get one's teeth into various issues. I also commend the work of the Parliamentary Budget Office. The quality of material it produces for all Members is very high and that should be acknowledged. If there are any issues around resources and so on, I am sure that is a matter for the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission. Howev…

On the process in 2020, it has been a truly extraordinary year, the like of which we hope we will never see again. It certainly had a dramatic impact on the budgetary process. I have acknowledged that the mid-year expenditure report was not published at the normal time. In addition, the Oireachtas did not have the normal summer economic statement setting out the overall macroeconomic and fiscal projections. That was certainly missed as well. The truth is that events unfolded extremely quickly through the year. Cert…

I propose to take Questions Nos. 98 and 114 together, although Deputy Paul Murphy is not present. Section 22 of the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015 provides that certain designated public officials are restricted from being engaged in lobbying in certain circumstances for a year after they leave their employment or office, unless they have obtained permission from the Standards in Public Office Commission. In effect, they are subject to a one year cooling-off period.  The general purpose of section 22 is to manage …

The proposed appointment to SIPO is not being made under the Act cited by Deputy Doherty in his question tabled for oral answer. The Deputy is entitled to ask the question. The appointment is being made under the Standards in Public Office Act. The former Senator Geraldine Feeney is a qualified person for that role. As a former Member of the Oireachtas I think she has the skills and the experience necessary to perform the functions to a high standard. I am aware of the material that is on lobbying.ie in terms of he…

Of course I have looked at the returns and I did receive a letter from Deputy Doherty's colleague, Deputy Mairéad Farrell, to which I responded. I read the returns, which are available online, primarily relating to lobbying in the early part of 2017, which is what is defined under the Act. It essentially involved setting up a number of meetings within the Oireachtas. If memory serves me correctly, the last entry I saw online relates to a meeting with the then Minister of State, Finian McGrath, on 1 February 2018, a…

I propose to take Questions Nos. 99 and 107 together. The present system of collective agreements has been in place in the public service since the Croke Park agreement was negotiated in 2010. These collective agreements have helped to ensure that public pay is managed in a sustainable, affordable and orderly manner. These agreements have also enabled significant reform of public services and changes to work practices. The current public service agreement, the Public Service Stability Agreement 2018-2020, has provi…

I move: That, notwithstanding Standing Order 215 of the Standing Orders of Dáil Éireann relative to Public Business the following Further Revised Estimates for the Public Services for the year ending 31st December, 2020, be presented to the Dáil and circulated to members on 11th November, 2020, being a date later than that prescribed for the presentation of Estimates and be referred to Select Committees, as appropriate, pursuant to Standing Orders 95(1)(a) and 215(3): Vote 24 — Justice (Further Revised Estimate). V…

I move: That leave be given by the Dáil to introduce the following Supplementary Estimates for the service of the year ending on the 31st day of December, 2020: Vote 20 — Garda Síochána (Supplementary Estimate). Vote 21 — Prisons (Supplementary Estimate). Vote 22 — Courts Service (Supplementary Estimate). Vote 34 — Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Supplementary Estimate). Vote 42 — Rural and Community Development (Supplementary Estimate).

I move: That, subject to leave being given to introduce the following Supplementary Estimates for the service of the year ending on 31st December, 2020, the Supplementary Estimates be referred to the following Select Committees, as appropriate, pursuant to Standing Orders 95(3)(c) and 215(3):— Vote 20 — Garda Síochána (Supplementary Estimate) — Select Committee on Justice. Vote 21 — Prisons (Supplementary Estimate) — Select Committee on Justice. Vote 22 — Courts Service (Supplementary Estimate) — Select Committee o…

I move: 1. THAT PART 35A of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997, which applies transfer pricing rules to certain arrangements between associated persons, be amended in the manner and to the extent specified in the Act giving effect to this Resolution. 2. THAT Schedule 2 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 (No. 39 of 1997), which deals with the machinery for assessment, charge and payment of tax under Schedule C and in certain cases, Schedule D, be amended in the manner and to the extent specified in the Act giving eff…

I move: That, notwithstanding Standing Order 215 of the Standing Orders of Dáil Éireann relative to Public Business the following Further Revised Estimates for the Public Services for the year ending 31st December, 2020, be presented to the Dáil and circulated to members on 4th November, 2020, being a date later than that prescribed for the presentation of Estimates and be referred to Select Committees, as appropriate, pursuant to Standing Orders 95(1)( a ) and 215(3): Vote 26 — Education ( Further Revised Estimate…

I move the following Revised Estimates: Vote 28 — Foreign Affairs (Further Revised Estimate) That a sum not exceeding €225,444,000 be granted to defray the charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of December, 2020, for the salaries and expenses of the Office of the Minister for Foreign Affairs, and for certain services administered by that Office, including grants and contributions to International Organisations. Vote 30 — Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Revised Estimate…

I thank the Cathaoirleach. This is my first address to the House and I am delighted to have the opportunity to come to the House to say a few words about budget 2021. I will engage with Senators on the different issues they may wish to raise. In framing the budget, the Government has been faced with a level of uncertainty without precedent in modern times. We continue to live with the Covid-19 pandemic and also face the prospect of the United Kingdom trading with the European Union on World Trade Organization terms…

I have until 4.15 p.m. Is that correct?

I thank all the Senators for their contributions. I listened to them carefully. Many issues have been raised and different perspectives have been shared. It is important to say that this budget is from a coalition Government of three parties, Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Green Party. All have had significant input. We have worked well collaboratively in the preparation of this budget. It is important for the country that it was be done in that spirit. There are some over-arching themes in the budget that all Sena…

The backdrop for budget 2021 is a truly remarkable one. INTRODUCTION At the same time, our country and our people are confronted with a once-in-a-century global pandemic and a generational shift in our relationship with our nearest neighbour, the United Kingdom. Covid-19 has changed completely the way we live our lives. While the damage to our economy has been immense, the ultimate cost of this virus is in the lives it continues to take. Covid-19 has also brought out the best in us. I think, of course, of the staff…

I move: That, notwithstanding Standing Order 215 of the Standing Orders of Dáil Éireann relative to Public Business: (a) the following Revised Estimates and Further Revised Estimates for the Public Services for the year ending 31st December, 2020, be presented to the Dáil and circulated to members on 30th September, 2020, being a date later than that prescribed for the presentation of Estimates and be referred to Select Committees, as appropriate, pursuant to Standing Orders 95(1)( a ) and 215(3): Vote 16 — Valuati…

I thank the Deputy for her question. As she points out, the capital expenditure levels for 2021, as originally set out in the Revised Estimates Volume of December 2019, amounted to €9.1 billion. This figure, which was set out in advance of the Covid-19 pandemic, was almost €1 billion, or 12%, higher than the corresponding 2020 allocation. As part of the July stimulus, the Government decided that rather than scaling back on planned capital investment in 2021 in response to budgetary pressures elsewhere, we would com…

First, we should not understate the significance of the State committing to a capital investment programme of more than €9 billion at a time when we are forecasting a deficit in the current year of somewhere in the region of €25 billion to €30 billion. Ten years ago, in very different times and when different circumstances applied, capital expenditure was slashed by some 60%. What we are doing now is in marked contrast to what happened in the past. We are going to maintain, and have the ambition to increase, capita…

I strongly support investment in capital expenditure projects. Now is the right time to make that investment because we can borrow at historically low levels of interests. There are many unmet infrastructure needs throughout the country. We have an opportunity now that should be taken and it falls to me to be the advocate within Government for doing so. To be fair, the prioritisation given to capital investment within the programme for Government is very clear. The context within which we are maintaining more than …