Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

There is a technical procedure to be followed on this matter. When the motion is agreed, the Secretary General must present the statement of Estimates to the Minister for Finance not later than 30 days before the preparation by the Minister for Dáil Éireann of the Estimates of receipts and expenditure, that is, the White Paper for this year. That White Paper is presented to the Dáil on 1 December. The statement of Estimates must be presented to the Minister not later than Tuesday, 31 October. With regard to a debate on the Estimates of the commission, that is a matter for the commission and the Whips. We must move the motion so we can comply with procedure to ensure we have resources next year. That is the issue I wish to address.

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