Budget leaks and constitutional concerns
Diarmuid Wilson condemns the extensive pre-budget leaks and asks whether they raise constitutional concerns, recalling the resignation caused by an earlier premature disclosure.
Budget day used to be a marvellous occasion when I came into this House until relatively recently-----
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When there was so much; that is why.
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-----when the financial crisis hit the country. Excuse me, a Chathaoirligh, I just want to make the point that-----
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There used to be some element of mystery to it, but, unfortunately, as a result of the leaks and spins that have occurred, especially this year, there is none. As Senator Paschal Mooney said, one need only have listened to the "News at One" to hear almost the entire budget. Surely there is a constitutional issue. It is not that many years ago when a Minister had to resign because an official of his sent a fax before the budget was announced. That man is a senior Minister today, I am glad to say, but because of a mistake by an official in his Department he had to resign. What has changed constitutionally between then and now when journalists have access to details of the budget before democratically elected Members have an opportunity to hear them at first hand from the Minister?
I join Senator Terry Brennan in congratulating Wellman International in Mullagh, County Cavan on celebrating 40 years in that town yesterday. The company employs 260 people in this rural part of County Cavan and has a €5 million investment programme which in the next couple of years will see the numbers employed there grow. It is welcome, too, that 25% of the extra jobs created have been in the BMW region, particularly along the Border.
I also join Senators Paschal Mooney and Averil Power in welcoming the Taoiseach's comments regarding the democratic decision of the people in a referendum of 1979 that the franchise for the university sector of this House be extended to all graduates, while supporting the view that this is not acceptable as the only reform required in this House. I reiterate Senator Paschal Mooney's call for the Committee on Procedure and Privileges to examine the O'Rourke all-party report and the legislation championed by Senators Feargal Quinn, Katherine Zappone and John Crown. This House must be proactive in taking initiative on reform, rather than have it foisted upon it by the Lower House.