asked the Minister for Finance if he is in a position to indicate when the Budget for 1971-72 will be introduced.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Budget Date.
29.
I am not yet in a position to say when the 1971 Budget will be introduced. The Dáil will be given adequate notice of the date.
Can the Minister give us any assurance that there will be only one Budget?
That is a separate question.
The Deputy can wait and see.
Would the Minister be able to give some advance notice to his colleague, the Minister for Health, as to the amount of money which will be available for the health services so that the county councils can strike their rates?
That is a separate question. We cannot discuss this matter now.
Could the Minister ensure that this year we will get the Estimates Volume some reasonable period before the Budget?
I think the Deputy will find he will get it a reasonable period before the Budget.
Does the Minister think it will be necessary to prepare the public for this grave Budget, that he should educate the public to the serious gravity of the general economic situation? Does he think the situation calls for prior warning to the public on what to expect?
The Deputy can safely leave it to me to conduct this matter in the way I think it should be conducted.
(Interruptions.)
Question No. 30. Order.