Alex White (Labour)

I have a second question, on the important issue of the future of this and the Lower House. We deserve clarity, not just rumour. The airwaves have been full of rumours following the announcement of the leader of the Green Party on 22 November that it was time to have a general election and that it should be held in the middle of January. On the same day the Taoiseach stated: "It is my intention at the conclusion of this budgetary process with the enactment of the necessary legislation in the new year to then seek a dissolution of Dáil Éireann and to enable the people to determine who should undertake the responsibilities of government in the challenging period ahead thereafter." Is it still the position that, once the budgetary measures and the legislation required to enact the provisions of the budget have been completed, the Taoiseach intends to dissolve the Dáil and hold a general election? Alternatively, are we now in the hilarious situation where the Taoiseach is presenting the impression that he still intends to dissolve the Dáil but that the Green Party will not let him?