Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 28 Jan 1998

Vol. 486 No. 1

Written Answers. - 1998 Finance Bill.

Paul Bradford

Question:

107 Mr. Bradford asked the Minister for Finance if he will state his proposed timetable for the publication, debate and passing of the 1998 Finance Bill; and the discussions, if any, he is prepared to have with the Opposition parties before this timetable is finalised. [1906/98]

Minister for Finance (Mr. McCreevy):

As the Deputy will be aware, there are certain deadlines for the passage of the Finance Bill which are set out in the Provisional Collection of Taxes Act, 1927. The Second Stage debate must be completed within 84 days of budget day, i.e. by 25 February 1998 and the Bill must be signed by the President within four months of the budget, i.e. 3 April 1998. Bearing this in mind, I propose to deal with the publication, debate and passing of the 1998 Finance Bill as follows:

Publication of the Bill	12 February 1998
Dáil Second Stage	17 to 19 February 1998, inclusive
Joint Committee Stage	4 and 5 March 1998
Dáil Report Stage	11 March 1998
All Seanad Stages	25 and 26 March 1998

The Bill will then be signed into law by the President before 3 April 1998. This timeframe is subject to the agreement of the Whips. The proposed timetable has been transmitted to the Whips Office and that office will in due course discuss the business of the House with the Opposition Whips in the normal way.