asked the Minister for Finance whether it is the Government's intention to continue the planning cycle of annual Green and White Papers inaugurated by the former Minister for Economic Planning and Development; and if so, when the next Green and White Papers on economic development will be published.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Green and White Papers.
18.
It is the Government's intention to continue with the periodic publication of Green and White Papers.
As regards the publication date of the next Green or White Paper, I would refer the Deputy to my reply to his question on this very matter during the debate in the House on the Second Stage of the Finance Bill on 15 May. As I indicated on that occasion, both the kind of papers that it would be useful to produce for planning purposes and when they should be published will be decided by the Government at the appropriate time.
May I take it from that that the twice yearly cycle which the Government announced shortly after assuming office in 1977 is being abandoned and, in particular, that the respective roles assigned to the Green and White Papers—the Green Paper being a paper full of options and the White Paper being one full of decisions—is also being abandoned.
The Deputy can take it that the kinds of papers and the appropriate presentation of those papers will be determined by the Government at the appropriate time.
Is the Minister saying that the decision which the Government had previously made is now back in the pot, the decision which they made with regard to the bi-annual timing and in regard to the respective roles assigned to the respective colours? Are those matters back in the pot and up for decision?
I do not intend to find myself in an inflexible position having regard to developments as they occur at this stage internationally. For that reason it might not be appropriate to follow since that decision was taken, a fixed period and cycle. I do not know whether the Deputy is suggesting it should not but because of developments since then it might not be appropriate to do so.
May the House take it that any expectation about Fianna Fáil planning based on bi-annual cycles of the kind originally announced is going to be disappointed?
The manifesto is dead and buried.
The whole planning operation is being abandoned.
It was abandoned only once within the last decade. That was done deliberately, formally and publicly by my predecessor, a Minister in the Coalition Government, as a matter of deliberate policy. It has not been abandoned and it remains a fundamental aspect of my responsibility as Minister for Finance and of the Government's concern. I can assure the Deputy that we will not adhere to the position adopted by my predecessor who abandoned planning functions.
May we take it that since the cycle is up for redecision the Minister will make sure that the papers are up for redecision? The Government are sidling away from planning. At least Deputy Richie Ryan said there was no point.
They were planning for nine months to get rid of Jack Lynch and they must take a rest now.
Deputy L'Estrange is a positive nuisance. He should obey the Chair.
It is like getting off the nuclear energy debate.
Deputy L'Estrange should consult with Deputy Flanagan.
The Minister counted correctly on the right night; one for Charlie, two for George.