Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 February 2013
93. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the estimated time of the publication of the estimates for 2014 in view of the fact that the publication of the estimates and the Budget are to be brought forward; the implications for discussing the estimates in the Oireachtas prior to their approval by Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7623/13]
View answerOne of two draft economic and budgetary regulations, known as the “two-pack”, nearing finalisation in Europe, will introduce a common budgetary timeline for all euro area Member States. While this regulation would have implications for the existing budget and Estimates arrangements in Ireland, it is not yet possible to say when political agreement will be reached between the Commission, European Parliament and Council of the EU.
When this regulation is adopted and in force, all euro area Member States will be required to publish their draft budget for central government and the main parameters of all other General Government sub-sectors no later than 15 October each year. The common budgetary timeline also foresees that the final budget should be adopted or fixed upon annually by 31 December.
Accordingly, much of our existing budgetary process, which is currently completed in the first week of December, will have to be finalised earlier in the year. As the two-pack has not yet been adopted, this requirement has not yet come into force but I can assure the Deputy that we will take the necessary actions to ensure that Ireland will comply with the new requirements once they have been agreed.
As regards the implications for discussion by Oireachtas Committees of the Estimates prior to the Budget, my Department will continue to work with Oireachtas officials to ensure the ‘whole of year budgeting’, announced in the Comprehensive Expenditure Report 2012-2014, continues under any revised timetabling arrangements. This reform is an important new dimension of accountability and enhances the role and the policy relevance of the Oireachtas, in particular with regard to the role of Committees in ex ante consideration of resource allocation priorities in each area. It is important that this be maintained and, indeed, improved upon.
