Cowen spending plans under attack
Labour refused to engage in discussions over planned reform of the Budget and Estimates process, branding the Government’s stance undemocratic and an affront to the constitution. Finance spokeswoman Joan Burton said Mr Cowen’s ruling out of scrutiny over “spending yet to happen” made the exercise redundant.
“This appears to rule out any role for the Dáil or its committees in the ex ante evaluation of major spending proposals and as such would render the proposed exercise pointless.
“The constitutional imperative that the Estimates be considered by the Dáil more than equips its members with the entitlement if not the obligation to subject to individual scrutiny each expenditure proposal put to the Dáil for its consideration and approval,” she said.
Mr Cowen wrote to opposition TDs inviting them to a briefing on Government thinking regarding Budget reform. Ms Burton insisted Mr Cowen was engaged in a “smoke and mirrors” act aimed at “steam-rolling” through Government spending without proper Oireachtas scrutiny.
Labour wants discussion to start from the basis of the all-party Public Accounts Committee’s recommendations for Budget changes.
That called for the setpiece parliamentary occasion to be moved to late summer to enable the Oireachtas and its committees more time to examine the spending proposals. A spokesman for Mr Cowen insisted it was the role of Government to bring forward spending plans and not to have them “second guessed” by opposition deputies. He said moving the Budget back to August would not be feasible as only half the annual financial statistics would be available.
The Finance Minister said proper accountability can only take place on the basis of action that has already been taken, not on spending yet to happen. “It is for the Government to decide and act and for the Dáil to hold us to account, as provided for in the Constitution.”
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
