Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 168: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if will launch an investigation to ascertain the source of the leak that led to details of budget 2008 appearing in a newspaper (details supplied) before he made his budget speech; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35529/07]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 169: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the fact that details of budget 2008 were published in a newspaper (details supplied) prior to his speech in Dáil Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35530/07]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 168 and 169 together.

I and my Department are fully conscious of the need for secrecy in relation to all Budget matters. That is why, in advance of the Budget, the Secretary General of my Department wrote to the Secretary Generals of all other Government Departments and to the Chairman of the Revenue Commissioners reminding them of the need for absolute secrecy when dealing with papers or issues relating to the Budget. That said it is fair to say that every year there is speculation in the media as to what changes will be announced in the Budget. Some of this speculation will prove to be accurate while some of it will be incorrect. In relation to this year's Budget I do not believe that there is any need to investigate the matter.