asked the Taoiseach if, with reference to his statement in Cork on 22nd May, 1971, that anyone who takes the trouble to look at the Budget figures will see that spending this year is £60 million higher than last year, he will state how the figure of £60 million was arrived at.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Budget Finances.
1.
The figure of £60 million represents the approximate difference between the sum of £551.04 million quoted in "Table explanatory of the current Budget, 1971" as being the total estimated expenditure under the Budget and the sum of £490.43 million quoted in "Table I" of the "Current Budget Tables, 1971", as the actual expenditure in 1970-71.
Is this not a completely false comparison? The fact is that the table which the Tánaiste gave correctly should be compared with the figure of £475 million which was the figure in the corresponding table relating to last year's Budget. Is not this a piece of complete fakery?
I do not think the Taoiseach intended it to be fakery. The Minister for Finance chose to make the comparison as seemed fit to him, namely, the final outcome of the 1970-71 Budget.
This has never been done before. There were Supplementary Estimates amounting to £44 million last year as compared with £39 million the year before. This year supplementaries will be at least £45 million, if the supplementaries in regard to Transport and Power are any indication.
I am sure the Deputy understands the basis of the comparison.
What I am suggesting is that a false comparison was made in the Budget and was taken up by the Taoiseach.
That is a matter of opinion.