asked the Minister for Finance what are the orthodox principles which the Government have promised to adhere to in the communication sent to the Organisation for European Economic Co-operation and which are referred to on page 25 of the White Paper on Ireland's Long Term Programme, where it is stated that budgetary policy has always adhered closely to orthodox principles and will continue to do so.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Communication to Organisation for European Economic Co-operation.
By "orthodox principles" is meant principles generally accepted by economic and financial experts as applicable to a particular set of circumstances. The reference made by the Deputy is taken from the paragraph headed "Finance" in the White Paper presented to both Houses of the Oireachtas in December last on Ireland's long-term programme, as part of the European Recovery Programme. In the course of the paragraph mentioned various examples are given of the application of these principles.
Might I ask the Minister what are the generally accepted principles of finance referred to? That is a fair question.
A very broad question.
It is rather elementary, I think, even for the Deputy.
Might I ask whether those principles would prohibit or allow the Minister to use borrowed money, for instance, to reduce the tax on cigarettes and wines as he did last year?
It answers itself. It is untrue.
Of course, it answers itself.
It is quite true.
It answers itself. It is untrue, I said.