asked the Minister for Finance whether, having regard to the desire of the European Communities that the dates of the national annual budgets of the member states should coincide as closely as practicable, it is proposed to alter the date of the budget; and, if so, when and to what time of the year.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Date of Budget.
12.
A change in the date of the budget for 1973-74 is not envisaged. However, the question of bringing the timetable of national budgetary procedures into line with those of the Six is under active consideration. When a decision has been made in the matter, the Dáil will be informed, in good time.
Has there been a recommendation made about the time of the year?
The recommendation is that the financial year would coincide with the calendar year.
That would be more suitable for everyone.
It is likely to happen, I think.
Is the Minister hopeful that he will be in a position to give an indication next April, at the time of our budget, of future policy? Is there a possibility that in future we might be discussing budgetary business in the Autumn session of the Dáil instead of doing it in the Summer session?
The possibility of this is one of the matters that is being examined. I would not like to undertake at this stage to say that the examination would be completed and that I would be in a position to announce the result of that examination by next April, but that consideration is proceeding actively at the moment.
Would the Minister not agree that it would be desirable to have an earlier decision if this country is to keep in line with other European countries, having regard to the fact that, with the exception of Britain, all the European countries have their budget in December or as close to December as makes no difference and that the budget debate, the financial arrangements, for the European Community and for the member states, takes place at this time of the year and not in April to June?
That is not quite correct in the sense that, although the Six have harmonised their arrangements so that the financial year coincides with the calendar year, at the moment the dates of the budget debates in the different parliaments do not coincide. In the case of the three applicants, all of us at present operate our fiscal year to 31st March.
Most of them are discussing it at this time of the year and not in summer.