asked the Minister for Finance if any decision has yet been made in regard to another budget this financial year; and, if so, when it will be introduced.
59.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Supplementary Budget.
58.
asked the Minister for Finance if he is yet in a position to say definitely whether it will be necessary to introduce a further budget before next April.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 58 and 59 together.
I have nothing to add to the reply given to similar questions on Thursday, 23rd October.
Can the Minister say what economies have been effected and directed by him in the various Departments?
Every possible effort is being made to keep expenditure under the various headings within the limits set.
I asked the wrong question. I meant what cutbacks had been effected, for example, by the Minister for Local Government in the matter of relief schemes?
There have been no cutbacks. My problem is almost exclusively concerned with excesses.
Can the Minister tell us if it is proposed to persuade Ministers to agree to a further cut on ministerial salaries, in view of the present economic situation.
That is a separate question?
The "Party of Reality" would never agree to that.
Manufacture another crisis.
On Question No. 59, is the Minister endeavouring to avoid another budget during the winter?
No, but I am beginning to wonder if the Deputies over there do not want another budget.
The Minister would like to be able to blame them for it.
With the degree of uncertainty in the country created by this——
You are creating it. You are afraid to have the by-election without it.
Your constituency is the Six Counties.
Week after week you have been harping on a supplementary Budget and I am beginning to think you want one. You are the only people talking about it.
The Minister is trying to avoid talking about it.
We do not trust the Minister.