Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The only point I will make with regard to the Deputy's remark is that, while the Government has always outlined its proposals, these have always been subject to the envelope available on budget day. This is always impacted by the results at the end of September, the last figures before the budget, because it is a very significant period of the year in terms of corporation tax. In every recent year I can recollect, the size of the envelope could not be fully decided on until the September Exchequer returns had been seen. On this occasion, we have seen these results ten days out. These are significant figures, which are in the public arena. With regard to speculation on the budget, the Deputy will know that I cannot go into what might be in next week's budget today. I just cannot go there.