Committee Reports > List of Committees > Dáil > 1968 > Committee on Procedure and Privileges > Report - Presentation of the Estimates for Public Services

REPORT

1. The Committee on Procedure and Privileges has had under consideration the latest day by which the ordinary yearly Estimates for Public Services should be presented to the Dáil.

2. Standing Order 121 provides that the ordinary yearly Estimates for Public Services shall be presented and circulated to Members not less than fourteen days prior to the consideration thereof and not later than the first day of April. This provision was necessary when the House had to agree to a Vote on Account and a Central Fund Bill had to be enacted before 1st April each year. With the passing of the Central Fund (Permanent Provisions) Act, 1965, the necessity for an annual Vote on Account and Central Fund Act has ceased.

3. The Committee considers that, in the altered circumstances, it should be provided that the yearly Estimates be presented to the Dáil before consideration of the Financial Resolutions and not later than 30th April. It accordingly recommends to the Dáil that Standing Order 121 be amended by the deletion of the words “fourteen days prior to the consideration thereof, and not later than the first” and the substitution therefor of the words “seven days prior to the consideration of the ordinary yearly resolutions imposing taxation and not later than the thirtieth”.

(Signed) CORMAC UA BREISLEÁIN,

Chairman.

20th March, 1968.