Budget timing and confidence agreement
Deputy Howlin sought clarity on the autumn budget, finance and social welfare Bills, and talks on renewing confidence and supply. The Taoiseach said budget discussions should already have begun and that an October budget was intended.
This is the last Order of Business that the Taoiseach will take before the recess. As I stated yesterday, the instability of the Government across the water makes the Irish Government look very stable. However, there has been much speculation about the prospect of a September election. The confidence and supply agreement is scheduled to be reviewed at the end of this year and a third budget will need to be agreed. Will the Taoiseach confirm that the Government will introduce a budget in September-----
Comment on this
-----and that it is his intention to introduce a finance Bill and a social welfare Bill in the autumn? Also, what is his preferred date for the opening of discussions with Fianna Fáil on the renewal of the confidence and supply agreement?
Comment on this
It is my preference that we would have already started discussions on renewal of the agreement. It is not in the country's interests for us to be trying to negotiate an extension to the confidence and supply agreement in October or November when we are dealing with the Brexit negotiations and so many other matters. It is a matter I will discuss with the Leader of the Opposition in due course. It is the intention that the Government will introduce a budget in October.