I move:
That, notwithstanding Standing Order 122 of the Standing Orders relative to Public Business, Revised Estimates for Public Services for the year ending 31st December, 1986 be presented to the Dáil and circulated to Members.
Revised Estimates for Public Services, 1986: Motion.
In agreeing to this motion moved by the Minister for Finance I should like to offer from this side of the House our most sincere congratulations to the Government on bringing out the Book of Estimates at last.
We accept the Deputy's congratulations.
It is now 13 March——
The third attempt.
——well into the year 1986. This Government after, I am sure, a great deal of effort and careful consideration have finally produced the Book of Estimates——
That can be relied on.
The figures will add up; there is no problem.
After the third attempt, are they sure?
——about two months after the budget. It is ironic that Deputy John Bruton, who happens to be the Minister for Finance——
Listen to this for a gem.
——is bringing forward the Book of Estimates on 13 March 1986 for 1986 because it is this very same Deputy John Bruton who, in a reforming zeal, promised us that — unlike all those other inefficient Dála that went before, unlike all those incompetent Ministers for Finance who went before — this Dáil, under Deputy John Bruton, as Minister for Finance, would have the Book of Estimates in September every year——
He is actually blushing.
——that we would have the Book of Estimates for the coming year in September of the year before.
That was in the early eighties.
It is well worth while that we now have the Book of Estimates. But, if we keep on going this way, bringing the Book of Estimates out later and later every year, by the time Deputy John Bruton finishes his term of office——
—— which will not be long.
—— we will have the Book of Estimates in September of the year in which the Book of Estimates applies, not the September of the year before. In accepting this Book of Estimates I want to thank the Government very sincerely for finally letting us see what the estimates of Government expenditure are for the year 1986. It is a significant achievement by the Government when about a quarter of the financial year has gone to produce for us the estimates of Government expenditure. May I, on behalf of this side of the House, offer my most sincere thanks and congratulations to Deputy John Bruton for this splendid achievement?
He deserves a gold cup.
I should like to intervene very briefly on this as the acting Head of Government. I should like to congratulate the Leader of the Opposition on the most statesman-like speech he has made in his period in Opposition.
What about Sellafield?
Deputy Haughey's characteristically urbane and sincere remarks bring back fond memories for me because I remember 1981 ——
The shoes.
—— when Deputy Haughey was on this side of the House, a portion of the House with which he will never again become familiar.
The Minister was not long in that office on the last occasion and he should not get excited this time.
He produced a Book of Estimates — I am not sure on which date they were published ——
Before Christmas.
They reminded me of the work of either Agatha Christie or Maeve Binchy, I am not quite sure, but they were certainly pure fiction. Deputy Haughey has, by that production, won himself the possibility of qualifying for that wonderful tax concession he introduced for artists. If indeed there was any commission to be obtained on the production of Estimates Deputy Haughey's Estimates of 1981 would surely qualify as works of art.
Deputy O'Malley rose.
I have made it perfectly clear that the Deputy may only ask a question. He cannot make a speech.
I should like to ask, in relation to the Estimates which have been described as revised Estimates, if they take account of the savings of many hundreds of millions of pounds in Government expenditure this year which can come about as a result of currency changes on debt servicing.
We cannot discuss the Estimates.
I am asking a question. There is a saving of many hundreds of millions of pounds on debt servicing which the Estimates do not appear to reflect. There are also savings in most Departments because of the changes in the price of oil.
The Deputy may ask a question but he cannot make a speech.
I would be happy to answer the question.
Is the Minister going to revise the Estimates again?
I am a bit surprised that Deputy O'Malley, a relatively experienced Deputy, should ask that question because, as he should know by now, provision for debt service appears in the Central Fund Estimates and they are not part of the Revised Estimates for Public Services which are being published on this occasion.
Why not?
Because they have never been at any time since the foundation of the State and because that is what the law says. We are acting in accordance with the law and the law is something in this instance with which Deputy O'Malley should be quite familiar. Any revisions in respect of the Central Fund services will occur otherwise. As far as these Estimates are concerned the movements in interests rates do not affect them significantly.
What about the price of oil?
Question put and agreed to.