asked the Taoiseach the Ministers and Ministers of State, if any, who are still members of local authorities and health boards; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
4.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Membership of Local Bodies.
3.
asked the Taoiseach the members of his Cabinet who are continuing to serve as members of local authorities or hold other public office; if he is prepared to allow such service to continue; and in particular if he sees any conflict of interest arising.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 3 and 4 together. The following Ministers are members of local authorities and/or health boards:
Minister for the Environment, Mr. Padraig Flynn; Minister for Labour, Mr. Bertie Ahern; Minister for Defence, Mr. Michael J. Noonan; Minister for Education, Mrs. Mary O'Rourke.
All members of the Government concerned have made arrangements to resign from the relevant local bodies in the near future.
The following Ministers of State belong to the local authorities and/or health boards:
Department of the Taoiseach and at the Department of Defence, Mr. Vincent Brady; Department of Energy, Mr. Michael Smith; Department of Agriculture and Food, Mr. Joe Walsh; Department of Industry and Commerce, Mr. Seán McCarthy; Department of the Taoiseach, Mrs. Máire Geoghegan-Quinn; Department of the Environment, Mr. Ger Connolly; Department of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Seán Calleary; Department of Health, Mr. Terry Leyden; Department of the Marine, Mr. Pat "The Cope" Gallagher; Department of Tourism and Transport, Mr. Denis Lyons; Department of Education, Mr. Frank Fahey; Department of Finance, Mr. Noel Treacy.
In response to a question on 7 April last I said that it has been a general principle for many years that Ministers and Ministers of State should, as soon as conveniently possible after appointment, resign from membership of any local authority or subordinate body to which they belong, unless only a short time remains of their term of office or other special considerations apply.
Can the Taoiseach assure the House that all of these Ministers will be voting at health boards and local authorities in favour of Government policy?
That is a separate question. Question No. 5 please.
I asked if the Taoiseach saw any conflict of interest arising. I note that he did not answer that part of the question.
That is worthy of a specific question, Deputy.
Will he assure us that all of those concerned who are Ministers and Ministers of State will vote for Government policy on local authority level?
Question No. 5, please.
The Taoiseach in his reply referred to local authorities and subordinate bodies. Does he regard health boards as subordinate bodies?
Health boards are, of course, in some respects subordinate bodies. They are subordinate to the Department of Health but health boards have a statutory basis for their existence.
What does the Taoiseach mean by "special circumstances"?
That would cover a variety of circumstances, as Deputy Barrett knows from his period of office as Chief Whip of the out-going Government. Many of the members of his and the other party in that Government never resigned their seats on local authorities at all.
Do not mind what the other Deputies did. The Taoiseach is Taoiseach and he said, "other special circumstances."
On a point of order, Sir, on what basis under Standing Orders did you rule against the question put by Deputy Mitchell?
The Chair feels the matter is worthy of a separate question.
Let me ask the question again. Does the Taoiseach see any conflict of interest arising between members of the Cabinet in particular being members of health boards or other public bodies while being members of the Cabinet?
It is desirable that Government Ministers and Ministers of State would at the earliest possible moment, subject to special circumstances prevailing and to the convenience of the affairs of the local authorities, resign their positions on local authorities but, as the Deputy knows and probably nobody knows better than he, many circumstances are involved in this situation. The general position is that Ministers of Government and Ministers of State will resign as soon as this can be done conveniently having regard to all the circumstances involved.
Can the Taoiseach assure this House that no members of his Cabinet or Ministers of State are drawing expenses for attending at health board meetings or local authority meetings while using State transport? Can he give us that assurance?
That is a separate question. If the Deputy puts down a question I will deal with it.
(Interruptions.)
That is a separate question. Question No. 5.
Why is the Taoiseach evading the question?