Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 638: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the date for each year since 2000 of pre-budget meetings held with the Department of Finance and the Department of the Taoiseach; the attendees at such meetings; if an agenda was circulated in advance; if minutes of such a meeting were kept; if not, the reason for same; if officials were directed not to keep minutes of such meetings; if so, by whom and the date of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17558/08]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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The settlement of the Department's spending Estimates by Government in the context of annual Budget decisions for the years in question involved a process of consultation over a period of months with the Department of Finance culminating in Ministerial meetings. Meetings of this nature do not require an agenda to be circulated in advance and minutes of such meetings are not maintained as part of Budgetary preparations in my Department.

Attendance at meetings of officials would, in the early stages, involve the Department's Finance Officer and at Ministerial meetings the Minister would also be accompanied by the Secretary General. Should any Ministerial meetings have taken place on these matters involving the Department of the Taoiseach, such matters are internal to Government.