Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The purpose of the proposed change was purely pragmatic; it was to ensure budget estimates could be forecasted accurately. Once the budget date was moved from the first week of December to the middle of October, it gave rise to a difficulty in forecasting. In 2014 the departmental forecasts have been very accurate and this remains true for 2015. There were no data to predict the November figure, but, as published yesterday, the profile was exceeded by approximately €38 million. When we are considering a sum of €6.2 billion, coming within €38 million of the amount brought in is indicative of very accurate forecasting. I do not now see the necessity, for budgetary reasons, to bring the dates forward. I do not expect any change in the life of this Parliament. What future Ministers will decide will be up to them.

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