Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

First, the budget is being introduced on 7 December for the valid reasons I have given. It is not because I am trying to be difficult. There are valid reasons for that date. It is also the earliest time a budget can be brought to the House, given all the circumstances we face.

Deputy Gilmore's second point related to the timescale for the completed enactment of all the legislation needed arising from budgetary announcements, which I cannot anticipate or indicate to the House at this point. I would expect that we should have everything completed in the month of February. That would be my hope.

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