asked the Minister for Finance if he proposes to introduce a further Budget this year; and if he will give the approximate date of it.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Introduction of Further Budget.
3.
I indicated in my Budget Statement on 9 March, that if it appeared that Government expenditure this year was likely to increase beyond the capacity of revenue to finance, I would introduce proposals to raise more revenue. It is too early in the financial year to say whether such measures will be required and, if so, when they should be introduced.
Could the Minister say whether certain Departments are now making out estimates of what will be required so that the Minister may present a further Budget before, say, the summer recess, before 1st June, or 1st November rather?
That is a complete fabrication. Obviously it is a fabrication of the Deputy's mind.
There is no truth in that?
None; it is a fabrication of the Deputy.
Oh, no, no. Can we have a guarantee there will be no question of increased expenditure between now and the end of the year?
There will be no tax proposals between now and 1st June certainly.
Between now and 1st November?
The answer to the Deputy's direct question is the reply to the supplementary also.
The Minister walked into it that time.
The Minister will not give a guarantee there will be no question of increased taxation between now and the end of the year?
No.
The Minister will not give that guarantee?
No.
Would the Minister say what special factors would be involved in considering whether or not it was necessary to introduce a supplementary Budget?
I mentioned in my Budget Statement that one of the factors would be the possibility of there being an extra demand on the Exchequer for increases in pay in the public sector. That is one of a number of considerations that would arise.
Having regard to the recommendation of the Labour Court and the policy of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions in the matter, could the Minister hazard any sort of estimate of the amount involved?
I could not.
Surely the Minister's statement must have some political significance; he can guarantee there will be no new taxation before 1st June but he cannot guarantee that there will not be new taxes before 1st November?
I thought that it was the Deputy who used the date 1st June. Even if I wanted to, I do not think it would be practicable, financially or practicably possible, or anything else.
Has the Minister not got the Finance Bill?
That is in connection with the Budget which was introduced in March.
But the Minister's Party have often brought in taxation in connection with the Finance Bill.