Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 105: To ask the Minister for Finance the date for each year since 2000 of pre-budget meetings held with the Department of An 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 [17564/08]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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It has long been the practice for discussions to be held with Departments including the Department of the Taoiseach on the allocation of funds as part of the estimates process. These discussions take place at a late stage in the formulation of the annual estimates between civil servants from each Department who, from ongoing interdepartmental contacts, are highly familiar with the relevant details and issues involved. While there are no standing instructions in this regard, these discussions are not usually minuted by my officials.