It is proposed to take Nos. 2 and 6, and in 6 Vote 20 (Token and Supplementary) resumed, and Vote 21. Questions from 2.30 to 5 p.m.
Order of Business.
On the Order of Business, may I ask the Taoiseach if in view of the speculation in yesterday's newspapers that there would be an early budget and information to the effect that the Taoiseach may have told members of ICTU and the Federated Union of Employers that we would have an early budget, can the Taoiseach make any comment?
We have taken no decision on the actual time of the budget but it will probably be early compared with other years. That is about as far as I can go.
Did the Taoiseach indicate an approximate date to either of those two organisations?
No.
May I ask one other question, not arising on this? Some couple of weeks ago I raised a question about official publications reaching Deputies in good time. In particular I referred to the Prices Commission's monthly report. At that time the Minister for Industry and Commerce assured me that Deputies would have that report in their possession simultaneously with the news media. Again this morning an account appears in the news media of the contents of that report but no Deputy has received a copy.
I do not think that has ever been the practice with those but I certainly will inquire into it.