Vol. 317 No. 9
I move:
That notwithstanding the provision in Standing Order 122 of the Standing Orders relative to Public Business that the ordinary yearly Estimates for the Public Services shall be presented to the Dail and circulated to Members not later than the thirtieth day of the financial year, the Estimates in question for the year ending 31 December 1980 may be presented to the Dáil and circulated to Members not later than 28 February 1980.
I understand that an amendment to the motion has been tabled by Deputy Peter Barry.
Since agreement has been reached between the Government Whip and the Opposition Whips that the budget will be presented on 27 February—the Government Whip has given an undertaking in that regard—I am withdrawing my amendment.
While we are agreeing to the motion, we consider it to be, broadly speaking, a step in the wrong direction. It will be well into February before the Estimates are presented. This means that approximately one sixth of the money provided for in those Estimates will have been spent before the Estimates detailing the expenditure are even published, let alone debated or approved.
The first point in that regard is that this arrangement is only for one year. Secondly, in view of what has been indicated to the Opposition Whips through the Government Whip, that is, that the budget will be introduced on 27 February, the Book of Estimates must be available not later than February 20 or five days later than suggested in the amendment. Therefore, while Deputy Bruton may consider that there is a point of principle involved here, in practice we are acknowledging the concern of the Opposition and, equally, they are acknowledging the particular difficulties in which the Government find themselves on this issue at this time.
It is too late to do anything about it now. Anyway they should be presented before the end of the year.
