Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

No, it is not agreed. Last year the Minister for Finance said he would take into account any ideas or proposals Members had to improve this situation. We are now half way through the charade of approaching the budget and we are about to embark on a three hour Estimates debate involving the expenditure of almost €50 billion.

Deputy Bruton has put forward a number of ideas which would make the process far more meaningful for members of all parties and none in the House in terms of the method of discussing these Estimates and recommending possible transfers of money from one Vote to another in order that when the Minister for Finance introduces the budget he would at least have the reflected views of the elected members of the people as distinct from the Department of Finance personnel who will put their stamp on this.

From that point of view, despite the important discussions today on the oncology unit in Cork, there will be insufficient time to discuss these Estimates. On that basis, I am opposed to the proposal for their discussion.

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