IT'S as traditional as turkey - the Minister for Finance sitting in the People's Parliament, RTE, on the day after Budget, taking phone queries on the Pat Kenny Show.

Ruairi Quinn, was still in bountiful mood, repeating the mantra: "Let's be very clear; this is not an election Budget; it is a Budget in election year." Yes, Minister.

But, Pat pushed him for a hint of an election date. His efforts were largely to no avail though the Minister made a play of the critical importance of the Amsterdam EU Council meeting in June where Ireland's interests "must be protected by the presence of the Taoiseach and Tanaiste". So, surprise, surprise, the election will be an early summer or autumn treat.

Meanwhile, what about him being "gazzumped" by his own boss last month? The Minister would not comment on the newspaper story that he threatened to jump ship over Mr Spring's Partnership 2000 deal - against his wishes - on public spending.

"You could always deny it?," invited Pat. The Minister sang dumb, except to say how proud he was of his job.

Then it was the turn of the citizen. First on the phone Dr Fenton Howell, from the anti smoking lobby group, ASH Ireland.

Prior to the Budget, the top brand cigarettes cost £2.92 for 20. Mr Quinn slapped 7p on cigarettes but, crucially as far as ASH Ireland is concerned, did not breach the psychological £3 barrier.

Dr Howell: "People say, why did he pick 7p; why didn't he pick 6p or why didn't he pick 8p. The truth of the matter is the tobacco industry lobbied the Minister very hard to make sure the cigarettes did not make £3. For the Minister to have succumbed to that is a black day for the health services.

"Minister?," interjected Pat Kenny.

But the good doctor, a specialist in public health medicine, had the mike. "In many respects you could say it is a slap in the face to anyone who has worked in the tobacco control operative for years ... that includes health promotion officers, any teacher who is out there today trying to tell children, you know, don't smoke. We all know that fiscal policy, price, has a huge impact on children".

Ruairi ignored the bit about surrendering to the tobacco industry but said he increased 20 fags by "the apparently strange figure of 7p" because he had to have regard to the impact on the Consumer Price Index. Secondly there was problem of tobacco smuggling sales and prices had gone up but revenue was falling "in part" because of smuggling.

These reasons were dismissed as "appalling" by the doctor. Everyone knew the protection of the health of the people was the funtion of Government.

The stresses of life borne by ordinary people were evident in other calls. Thanking Mr Quinn for the Child Benefit increase, a woman named Ann, with five children and married to a man on unemployment assistance, called to say she could not go out to work without losing out on State help.

The Minister was sympathetic and said he was looking at the discrepancy.

He appeared somewhat impressed by the novel notion from another caller, Gerry, who suggested a maximum tax amount of £250,000 for super rich business people who were, as tax exiles, "driven out of the country". Gerry proposed that a ceiling should be put on the amount any individual in this category should have to pay.

Mr Quinn politely said they would look at any proposal that would encourage tax exiles to return or increase revenue.

All in all, the citizens were easy on the Minister. It remains to be seen if their benevolence holds out on polling day.