Every TD will be given access to the same information as the Minister for Finance before the Budget is announced, according to Michael Noonan.

Mr Noonan says the new system of forming budgets will mean no information is kept behind.

In previous years, the Department of Finance has only released details of tax alternatives after the Budget was announced.

However, while speaking to TDs at a new budgetary committee, the minister said that will all change in future.

Mr Noonan said: “My idea would be that on the lead-in to the Budget, the parliament or the Dáil would have the same information as the ministers.

“And if you want to make alternative proposals, then you make alternative proposals.”