Vol. 468 No. 4
89 Mr. Briscoe asked the Minister for Finance the arrangements, if any, his Department has made for receiving and examining pre-budget submissions in advance of the 1997 budget; and if he will consider extending the deadline of 12 noon on Friday 2 August 1996 to facilitate various interested parties. [15414/96]
As the Deputy will be aware, I announced in my budget speech that budget submissions should in future be made to the finance and general affairs committee. That committee have formally accepted this role and will evaluate the contents of such submissions, will meet with representative groups and will submit a report to me with their recommendations.
The revised procedure will allow for much more in-depth consideration of budget proposals by interested groups. Proposals can be developed in consultations between groups and the finance and general affairs committee, the Dáil committee which specifically deals with taxation and budgetary matters.
The recommendations arising from this consultation process will be given careful consideration by myself and my Department and will constitute a valuable contribution to the formulation of the budget package. I am confident that the interests of all organisations will be well served through their contribution to this process.
I understand that the Dáil Select Committee on Finance and General Affairs has set a deadline of 12 noon on Friday 2 August 1996 for receipt of pre-budget submissions from interested parties. The question of extending that deadline is a matter for the Select Committee on Finance and General Affairs and I am not in a position to comment on the matter.
