andMr. P. Barry asked the Taoiseach when the science budget for 1980 will be presented to the Dáil.

It is hoped to present the science budget for 1980 to the Dáil before the summer recess.

Will the Taoiseach say why the science budget for 1980 will not be presented to the Dáil until more than half way through the relevant year?

There is no precedent for this. This is a very new procedure and the Deputy will understand that the functions of the National Board for Science and Technology were changed from one Department to another. It will be presented to the Dáil as soon as possible.

Is the Taoiseach saying that the reason for the budget not being presented until more than six months have elapsed is because of the transfer of functions to his Department?

It is one of the factors which contributed to this.

Does the Taoiseach consider that a budget for a certain year is useful if it is not presented at least reasonably early in the year in question?

The Deputy is confusing two things. The budget of the National Board for Science and Technology and their views were submitted to the Government in connection with consideration of the Estimates. What we are now talking about is presentation to the Houses of the Oireachtas.

If the material has already been presented to the Government, as the Taoiseach says, why has it not been published?

The report prepared by the National Board for Science and Technology under statute is submitted in the first instance to the Minister concerned and then to both Houses of the Oireachtas. It is an entirely separate procedure from the consideration of the programme by the Government in connection with the Estimates.

We cannot have too many supplementary questions on this matter.

I would appreciate the indulgence of the Chair in asking one more question. Is the material at present in being which the Taoiseach says will be presented to the Dáil before the summer recess? If so, why is it not being published?

The report of the board is not in being.