26 Nov 2020, 16:48
The latest report published by the Budgetary Oversight Committee considers the overall framework for parliamentary engagement throughout the budget cycle. It is an interim report, outlining the Committee’s scrutiny to date, in answering an Order of the Dáil from 28 July 2020 which tasked the Committee with this work.
The report sets out the key issues that have been considered by the Committee, including how a more holistic examination can be undertaken of performance by government departments, how parliamentary pre-budget scrutiny can be optimized, the type of work the Committee on Budgetary Oversight should undertake and how the Oireachtas can best consider the budget itself.
It also stressed the importance of members and committees having access to adequate information in a timely manner to inform scrutiny.
Committee Chair, Neasa Hourigan TD said: “Given that we are in the early stages of the 33rd Dáil, it is an opportune time to examine the engagement by parliament in the budget cycle and to consider how the reforms introduced during the last Dáil can be built upon. A key focus to date has been on how the work of Oireachtas committees in this area can become more joined-up and how sectoral Committees in particular can be better empowered to assess the performance of departments for which they have oversight.”
In the coming weeks, the Committee will be consulting more widely on the interim report and will meet impacted stakeholders and relevant experts. The Committee’s final report on this topic is to be published before the 25th of February. A strong theme throughout the report is the importance of a strong relationship between parliament and the government.
Deputy Hourigan concluded: “This Interim report is designed to set out the Committee’s initial thoughts on the key issues it has considered. In certain instances, potential improvements have been highlighted and the Committee will now consult more widely on these in the coming weeks.”
Ends