I also object to the proposals in view of the fact that the House has been informed that there will not be an opportunity for all Deputies to contribute to the budgetary debate. The budget was announced on 9 October and we are in the first week of November. We have the Finance Bill, yet not all Deputies have had an opportunity to contribute on the budget. Historically and traditionally, every Deputy is given an opportunity to contribute to the budgetary debate. The debate has now been shelved. If we keep going like this, it is likely we will be speaking about the budget next year.

Would that not be great?

I consider that to be an attack on the entitlement of Deputies to at least raise the importance of the budget in the Dáil. From that perspective, I cannot accept the proposal.

Deputy Kelleher's party Whip raised that matter at the Business Committee meeting and asked for a debate on the budget. That was not possible in the current week because of the business set out before us. However, it is my understanding that it is intended to return to the debate on the budget as soon as time allows.

Yes, but-----

Deputy Kelleher wants the debate this week.

It is not that I want a debate this week. I wanted it in the last couple of weeks.

We cannot turn the clock back now.

We need the budget debated in a timely manner. We could still be debating the budget when the Finance Bill has passed.