Marie Moloney (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I did not get to finish my speech on Second Stage as time ran out. I was going to finish with what Senator Bradford said on budgets. Why are they presented at such a late stage as faits accompli when we have to put them through? Everybody knows the contents of the budget through the media. We do not get told, but the newspapers do. Why not bring the measures before the House so that we can debate them? I have heard constructive ideas from all sides in the House today and if the debate was held in advance those ideas could be picked up on. The budget would be more acceptable to Members if they felt they had an input into it. No Member can say I stood up and threw comments across the House at Fianna Fáil or any other party.