Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It needs to be in the coming weeks and certainly before the end of the year. The discussions with the social partners will get under way shortly. We have a budget to complete in the next 12 days or so. We also have the launch of the national development plan. The focus of the Minister for Finance and I over the next 12 days or so will, understandably, be on the budget. That involves an intense set of meetings across Departments and with other stakeholders. That work is ongoing. I want to be able to give this matter proper reflection and consideration and hear the views of others. The intention, therefore, is to address it in the coming weeks. To answer the Deputy’s question as directly as I can, I believe we need to have this matter dealt with before the end of the year.