asked the Minister for Finance whether the Government have decided not to extend the five-year period for the remission of taxation on increased exports of manufactured goods.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Remission of Taxation on Exports.
The Deputy will appreciate that I cannot say in advance what my Budget Statement may or may not contain.
Has the Minister seen the statement made by Deputy Briscoe on the eve of his departure——
Is the Deputy joining in the hunt now?
I will not be put off by these disorderly tactics of the Minister. I insist on asking this question and I shall raise it on the Adjournment, if necessary, so as to ensure that I exercise my rights here.
Be merciful!
I want to ask the Minister for Finance whether he has seen the statement made by Deputy Briscoe——
I have not.
——to the effect that the Cabinet was opposed to any extension of relief from income-tax beyond the five-year period and that he believed that American industrialists could not be got to come here, unless the Cabinet extended the period of relief from income-tax?
I did not see the statement, but he had a perfect right to say that; it was his belief.
Is this a new method of announcing Cabinet decisions—to send a Deputy to America who will tell the Government's business at Shannon?
Do not be a stooge for Deputy Flanagan.
This is an excuse not to answer the question.
May I take it, since the Minister did not see that published statement, that the Minister for Finance does not read the Irish Press?
Who now speaks for the Government? Is it Ministers or Deputies?
A Cheann Comhairle——
How did the Minister for Local Government get in?
I will tell you. I happened to be there and that is not the statement Deputy Briscoe made.
Fight that out with the Irish Press.
He did not make that statement at Shannon Airport.
Have a word with Deputy Vivion de Valera about it.
What about the statement the Minister made at the Ard Fheis?
(Interruptions.)