Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

I am surprised to hear the Tánaiste's reply about the date of the budget. Given the report of the Commission on Taxation, the McCarthy report and other issues that have stacked up in terms of decisions that must be made on public finances, it is extraordinary that the Government has not yet decided a date for the budget, a deadline that Departments and everyone involved must meet. Is there a problem in setting the date?

I heard the Tánaiste state that Second Stage would not be guillotined. This is important legislation and many Deputies would like to participate in the debate on Committee Stage. There is a world of difference between Committee Stage held in a committee room in the bowels of the building and Committee Stage held in the House. I would like the Government to agree to holding Committee Stage of the NAMA Bill on the floor of this House.

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