Fine Gael/Labour seek overhaul of budgetary process

A RADICAL overhaul of the way taxpayers’ money is spent will be called for by Fine Gael and Labour in a joint policy document to be published today.

The two parties want to change the budgetary process to ensure a greater evaluation of the spending plans of government departments by the Dáil. The Dáil’s ability to scrutinise financial management is “pathetic”, according to Fine Gael deputy leader and finance spokesman Richard Bruton.

“You have the Estimates in November and then the Budget two weeks later, and no serious debate on the tax and spending policies they contain until the middle of the following year. Under our reforms, the whole context for Budget Day would be totally changed,” he said.