This year, to comply with the European semester, the Government must submit a draft budget in October to the European Commission. This is a great opportunity for the votes to be taken as normal in December which would give the Oireachtas and the committees a fantastic opportunity of having several months, as is best practice in other countries, to interrogate the budget proposals. However, I have heard it suggested the votes on the social welfare Bill, which is promised legislation-----

I thank the Deputy

-----will be voted on in October. Is this the intention for the timing of the legislation or will there be a gap between the submission of the draft budget in October to the Commission and time for the Oireachtas to debate it and vote on it at the end of the year as we did last year?

The budget will be on 15 October to be followed immediately by the finance Bill and the social protection Bill, so these votes will take place soon after 15 October. This is a requirement following a decision of the European Parliament. People will have the opportunity for a much broader discussion on the finance Bill and the social protection Bill which must be completed before the end of the year.