Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 11 Dec 1990

Vol. 403 No. 8

Written Answers. - Oireachtas Estimate.

Michael Ferris

Question:

52 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Finance if he will allow the Oireachtas prepare and vote separately on the Estimates for provision of services to the Oireachtas, independent of the control of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Finance (Mr. A. Reynolds)

In replying to the Deputy's question, I must first draw his attention to Article 28.4.3 of the Constitution, which requires the Government to prepare the Estimates and present them to the Dáil for consideration. The proposal referred to in the question, that the Oireachtas would present its own Estimate to the Dáil, would therefore create constitutional difficulties.

The present procedure is that the Estimate for the Oireachtas is prepared by the Oireachtas in response to the Estimates circular which my Department sends to all Government Departments and Offices annually. The internal arrangements whereby the Estimate for the Oireachtas is drawn up are essentially a matter for the Ceann Comhairle and the officers of the Oireachtas. As is the case for all other Votes, the Oireachtas Estimate, as presented, is examined by my Department in the light of Government policy in relation to public spending prior to its submission to Government.

Under new arrangements operating for the first time this year, if my Department propose to recommend reductions on the draft Estimate, these proposals are forwarded to the Oireachtas for written response in advance of the Government's consideration of the Estimate.

Finally, all Estimates are considered by the Government in the context of the ongoing budgetary constraints and, constitutional considerations nothwithstanding, having Estimates considered in isolation from this could lead to a weakening in overall financial control.