Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 3 July 2019

Committee on Budgetary Oversight

Summer Economic Statement: Minister for Finance

Photo of Paschal DonohoePaschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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To interject, an equal number of economists are commenting on the fact that we have been clear that we are going to do a single budget and that that is of value because if we enter into a situation of a disorderly Brexit happening over November and December, there is value for businesses in our country and for those on whom we may depend for support in the future being clear about what our budgetary framework is and what our intentions are. As the Deputy is aware, if a Government is in a scenario of delivering more than one budget, it creates a risk of instability as to policies that are likely to be implemented.

I believe it is in the national interest for this not to happen to us. We need to be clear on where we stand, on the basis of the best information that is available to us up to budget day.