Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

I understand that three sets of documents need to be completed arising from the EU-IMF agreement. First, a letter and a memorandum dealing with economic and financial policy needs to be communicated to the IMF and the EU institutions. Second, a memorandum of understanding must be concluded in respect of the EU funds. Third, there are operational agreements dealing with matters, including the quarterly review, etc. When is it intended that those documents will be concluded? When will they be laid before the House? Will they be laid before the House before they are communicated to the international bodies concerned?

The Government's statement at the weekend on the joint EU-IMF programme referred to a commitment to introduce a fiscal responsibility law, including a medium-term expenditure framework with binding multi-annual ceilings on expenditure in each year. Can the Taoiseach confirm that is the case? When will such legislation be introduced in the House? What stage of preparation is it at?

What are the Taoiseach's intentions with regard to a finance Bill? Is it intended that the Dáil will reconvene after Christmas? If so, when is it intended that the Dáil will reconvene and when will a finance Bill be presented to the House?

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