By Juno McEnroe, Political Correspondent

Finance Minister Michael Noonan has cautioned against rushing into a referendum on lifting constitutional constraints restricting Opposition TDs from passing money Bills.

Speaking to a new Oireachtas budgetary committee, Mr Noonan also revealed that the Government will decide and release the summer economic statement next week.

This will shed light on the ‘fiscal space’ or money available for tax cuts and spending for October’s budget and for 2017.

The committee earlier privately debated legal advice it has received which states that there are constitutional constraints preventing opposition TDs proposing financial measures or spending.

The advice said only a member of government or the executive can move any financial resolution.

Constitutional change is needed to allow TDs propose a measure involving any cost to the public purse.

Mr Noonan told the committee this was the correct way, compared to other democratic countries.

“If decisions around the budget were left to a committee, one might not be decided,” he warned.

He also warned about any “rush” to a referendum to empower opposition TDs to have a role in deciding the budget or financial Bills.

Instead, the minister said he and the Government would be willing to take on board recommendations for the budget.

The committee heard that the summer economic statement will be put before Cabinet and published next Tuesday, before going before the Dáil.

“This will reveal the latest information about tax cuts and spending plans and the fiscal space ahead of the October budget,” explained Mr Noonan.

He said: “The pitch will be lined on which the game will be played.”