Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I will work through each of them in turn. I do not expect my Supplementary Estimates to vary from what I indicated on budget day. I expect they will be broadly in line with what we announced on budget day. Sometimes there is a degree of change because there are technical issues in various Departments that require an intervention but I am confident the figures I outlined on budget day, and where we will stand with those figures, will be in line with what I indicated, which is a figure of approximately €660 million. That figure includes the funding needed for the Christmas bonus. I do not expect a significant change beyond what I have indicated.

I am confident the health Supplementary Estimate will be in line with what I indicated on budget day. With regard to the November fiscal monitor and the Deputy's point on the lag between it and the figures coming out of the HSE, which show a difference in the budgetary position, I have asked Department of Public Expenditure and Reform officials to inquire into this matter. While in previous years we saw a gap between the published HSE position and the fiscal monitor that we publish each month, it is fair to say that for this year the gap is wider than we saw in other years. The officials will look into the issue as we close out this year. It is worthwhile saying the Supplementary Estimate we have agreed with the Department of Health looks potentially large in the context of the November fiscal monitor but we have it at that level with an expectation of convergence between our fiscal monitor and the HSE figures when we move into December and January. It is predicated on the basis of careful planning that stretches beyond the fiscal monitor. I do not propose to introduce other significant Supplementary Estimates.

With regard to the question on the minutes of the health budget oversight group, given that they are released through freedom of information requests I see no reason not to publish them on the Department's website and we will begin to do that.

With regard to Brexit and likely outcomes, it is fair to say at this point that the risk of a no-deal Brexit for 2019 has clearly receded. Given all the experience I have built up as, I am sure, has the Deputy, of trying to predict what will happen with Brexit and then other things going on to happen, I will only reach a view on what will happen with Brexit once I see a withdrawal agreement pass through the House of Commons, we are completely clear on the content of that withdrawal agreement and we see it ratified. In the event of a no-deal Brexit with additional money being made available for other priorities, while I know the priorities are great in many parts of society, I do not plan to change the budget in the event of the country avoiding a no-deal Brexit. When we get into the first half of next year, the stability programme update, which we will do by 31 April, and the economic statement, which we will do in May, June or July, will give us a perspective and opportunity to assess where the economy stands if a no-deal Brexit is avoided. We have done one budget for 2020 and it is my strong view there should not be another budget until October 2020.