asked the Taoiseach the considerations that are taken into account when it is decided that an announcement of Government policy is to be made otherwise than to Dáil Éireann.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Announcement of Government Policy.
4.
Policy statements by members of the Government are made on such occasions and at such times as they consider to be most appropriate in the public interest.
The House will appreciate that it is often the duty of Ministers to make important statements of policy without delay. Dáil procedures and times of sitting could mean that, if a Minister were to await a suitable opportunity to make an important announcement in the House, the public interest could suffer by the resultant delay.
Announcements by Government members, wherever made, can be debated in the House and Deputies have ample opportunity to make their views on such announcements known.
Notwithstanding what I have said, I assure the House that all members of the Government are conscious of the desirability, where possible and appropriate, of making important policy announcements to the House in the first instance.
In view of the protests made by people who are now Ministers when they were in Opposition, would the Taoiseach ensure that where possible, announcements on policy are made in the House and not made one day after the Dáil has adjourned and at Fine Gael and Labour meetings?
If the Deputy reads the reply he will see that that is precisely what I said, that provided the House is in session it is the general procedure to make them in the House. Occasionally when it is not in session or when a matter has to be dealt with quickly then they are made elsewhere.
The Taoiseach and his colleagues will be more understanding when they are back on this side of the House then?
The practice has not changed much over the years, I think.
We were criticised for it.
You were experts at it.
We promise not to make any at a cumann meeting.
Blackrock.
In view of the fact that the Dáil has been sitting continuously since it assembled after the general election would the Taoiseach not agree that statements have been made outside the House either on the day before or the day after the Dáil sat?
The Deputy will appreciate that under the Standing Orders it is not always possible to get an opportunity, that Standing Orders have to be complied with and it is only on exceptional occasions that permission is granted to depart from them for specific statements.