Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)

I thought the Ceann Comhairle looked down benignly at me, but he was obviously looking through me. I refer to the forthcoming budget. Normally at this time of year we would have access to detailed tax forecasts from the Department showing what is likely to be raised under different tax heads. This has not yet been furnished to the House. Normally, we would also have the Revised Estimates volume. Given the Budget Statement was two months early last year one would have expected this document to be published in February. Although the Budget Statement was published in October we have not yet seen the document for this year. Will we see these documents ahead of the budget, in order that the House can make an informed opinion on the direction of the public finances?

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