TDs may get greater powers in the annual budgetary process

A turf war is looming between the Dáil and the Department of Finance over proposed increased powers for TDs in the annual budgetary process.

At a meeting of the newly created Dáil reform sub-committee, proposals for strengthening the role of the Dáil in the budget were discussed, but it was argued that such proposals could undermine the constitutional position of the department in formulating the budget.

Sources at the committee, said the TDs were nearly unanimous in their support for strengthening the Dáil’s powers. The meeting agreed to bring forward proposals for a special budget committee and an advisory office, which would provide an economic analysis service to TDs, to allow parliament be involved from the start.