Election ‘would grind State to a halt’

GOVERNMENT would grind to a halt and public services shut down if a sudden general election is called in the run-up to Christmas, one of the country’s most senior civil servants has warned.

A failure to pass the Finance Bill and Social Welfare Bill, as well as other related measures, would mean no money to fund staff and services from the beginning of 2019, the Public Accounts Committee was told.

The potential shutdown was highlighted by Robert Watt, Secretary to the Department of Public Expenditure, which is presided over by Minister Paschal Donohoe, the Taoiseach’s close political ally.

The State ‘wouldn’t function’ if legislation now in the pipeline following the Budget is not passed by the year’s end, Mr Watt said. His comments were echoed by Comptroller and Auditor General, Seamus McCarthy, who warned of the ‘serious outcomes’ if a sudden election meant the Dáil was suspended for the duration. Mr Donohoe yesterday published Finance Bill, which is closely watched at committee stage for late moves to change budgetary and tax treatment measures in niche sectors.

The Bill runs to 61 sections and implements the taxation changes announced on Budget Day as well as introducing some necessary anti-avoidance measures and technical changes to the tax code in the corporate area.