Ivan Yates
Question:83 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Finance if the budget prediction in relation to the current budget deficit and Exchequer borrowing requirement will be met; and if not, if he will give the revised targets.
Written Answers. - Financial Outturn.
Thomas P. Broughan
Question:108 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Finance if he will give details of the revenue projections from the tax amnesty as at 6 October 1993; and if he will give his estimate of the final current budget deficit position at the end of 1993.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 83 and 108 together. As regards the prospective budget outturn, I would refer the Deputies to the press statement which I issued on 4 October last in association with the release of the Exchequer returns for the first three quarters of 1993. As indicated in that statement, I view the returns as supportive of the budget targets for the current budget deficit and the Exchequer borrowing requirement. There is, indeed, a reasonable prospect of securing some overall savings which could contribute towards any potential equity injection in Aer Lingus.
As regards the tax amnesty, this scheme is still very much at a preliminary stage of implementation. In addition, special confidentiality arrangements apply to the incentive amnesty scheme under which I may obtain only certain information and this only in the form of aggregates. In these circumstances there is no realistic basis which would enable me to forecast the possible overall yield under the amnesty at this stage.