Vol. 448 No. 1
24 Ms Keogh asked the Minister for Finance whether he will revert to the practice of some of his predecessors by publishing the Estimates for 1996 in October 1995, and by publishing the Comprehensive Expenditure Programmes again; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1571/95]
It was not possible to publish the Abridged Version of the 1995 Book of Estimates during 1994 because the Estimates had not been finalised prior to the political developments late in that year, which resulted in the change of Government.
The new Government has reviewed the Estimates and the 1995 book will be published in the next few days.
With regard to the 1996 Estimates, it would be my intention to publish the book as far in advance of the end of 1995 as practicable. However, it would be difficult at this stage to say with certainty that it would be possible to have it ready before the end of October 1995.
My Department is currently reviewing the format of Estimates and related documentation to see what useful further presentations might be made in relation to the Estimates for 1996 and later years. This review will draw on the experience of the Comprehensive Expenditure Programmes and also consider other options with a view to as meaningful a presentation as possible.
