Joan Burton has questioned the existence of a powerful cabinet sub-committee, of which she is a member.

The Tánaiste says the Economic Management Council has come close to outliving its purpose, and the rest of cabinet should be involved in major decision-making.

Before she became Labour leader Joan Burton regularly criticised the EMC as it meant other ministers didn't get to take part in major debates.

She says she appreciates the reason it was set up - but that reason is no longer valid: