Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 59: To ask the Minister for Finance if he will introduce new taxation or revenue raising measures before Budget 2010; if it is his intention to propose Budget 2010 in early December 2009 or at an earlier date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6352/09]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 146: To ask the Minister for Finance if further budgetary cutbacks are proposed arising from the ongoing economic trends; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6569/09]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 59 and 146 together.

The recently published Addendum to the Stability Programme Update set out revised forecasts for the period 2009-2013. On foot of the revised projections, the Government has taken substantive immediate action to address the fiscal and economic situation by setting out the details of the expenditure savings of up to €2 billion in a full year. The Government has also signalled that further fiscal consolidation measures will be necessary in the period 2010-2013 and that these adjustments will, as necessary, include measures to reduce and prioritise expenditure and to adjust taxation levels to reflect the changed realities. The work of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes and that of the Commission on Taxation will inform decisions taken by the Government in this regard.

At this stage the Government's focus is on securing the recently announced expenditure savings which are part of the overall Government fiscal strategy. Regarding the date of next year's Budget, while it is usual practice to have the Budget in early December, this is a decision taken by Government in the context of agreeing the Budget Strategy Memorandum which is usually taken by Government in late June/early July.