Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

The Government is in discussions with regard to the spending Estimates and the preparation of the four year plan. As to the involvement of the Opposition in the context of that four year plan and the overarching framework, if we can work within the broad parameters of the four year plan, all of the matters will have to be discussed. What I indicated to the Deputy was that we are working on our Estimates in preparation for the budget and the four year plan. No decision has been made on a format or when and how the Estimates will be published. I can only anticipate the method by which this will take place as the matter has not been decided.

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