Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

It is years since an appropriation Bill was discussed at any length in this House, but it is discussed in the Seanad, which is meeting on Thursday to debate the Bill. That has been the practice for the last 20 years. We have a committee system that looks at it. As Deputy Kenny remembers, we used to discuss the budget for weeks on end, but that was when it was bad news. Now the Opposition only want to discuss it for a day. Things move on.

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