Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

I do. With regard to the announcement the Taoiseach made yesterday on the Order of Business, as with most things announced by the Government, his claim of radically opening up the budget process falls apart under even the most basic examination. The Taoiseach said the budget and the White Paper will be published exactly as before, and the departmental spending Estimates will be published almost exactly as they were last year, including the provision of four-year plans.

One major question arises from the business of the Dáil, namely, how the overall taxation and spending limits will be set. The Taoiseach said yesterday these will be agreed on Tuesday but withheld until after the Dublin West and presidential votes. The Taoiseach spent last month denying that anything would be withheld. Will he explain why this is happening? Can he also explain the absurdity of the fact-----

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