Vol. 407 No. 3
3 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Taoiseach if he will outline the plans the Government have for the proposed review of the Programme for Government; if he will outline the changes which are planned to the programme; if any changes will be brought before Dáil Éireann for approval; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The Programme for Government 1989-1993 makes provision for a review after two years. The implementation of the Government's objectives, as set out in the document, together with the objectives in the Fianna Fáil document National Recovery—The Next Phase, is proceeding very satisfactorily. For instance, a new programme has been concluded with the social partners; the targets for the public finances have already been substantially exceeded; tax reform and harmonisation is on target; the health services have been improved; special measures for the unemployed are being introduced in urban disadvantaged areas, the pupil-teacher ratio is being reduced, and an environmental protection agency is being established; substantial law reform is taking place. I would also refer the Deputy to the Programme for Economic and Social Progress, which has been approved by the Dáil, which sets out in more detail both the recent progress achieved and ambitious objectives for the 1990s agreed by the Government with the social partners.
As the Taoiseach said, there is provision for a review of the programme with the Progressive Democrats. Is that review under way and are there areas which are being specifically addressed? Will the Taoiseach indicate whether the press reports indicating serious dissatisfaction among the Progressive Democrat element within the Coalition are borne out by the facts within the Cabinet?
The Deputy's concern for our party affairs is touching but I am not so sure that it is very genuine.
My concern is not with the internal problems of Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats. My concern is about the programme on which the Government are operating and the extent to which it is intended to change that programme. There are clear indications from the Progressive Democrat element of the Coalition that they are not happy with the rate of progress. Is it proposed to change the programme? If so, will it change only in relation to that which was negotiated with the Progressive Democrats? Will the Fianna Fáil element of it change? Will the submission made to the European Commission change?
This is repetition.
I think the Deputy has enough trouble looking after his own changes and trying to bring his Marxist-centralist party kicking and screaming into a modern democratic system.
I call Deputy John Bruton:
Perhaps the Taoiseach would answer my question. Is the programme on which the Government were elected to change?
I have called Deputy John Bruton and he shall be heard.
I will not attempt to put a question to the Taoiseach about the whole range of matters in the programme. I want to put one modest question about a promise which was——
Thank you. Modesty is the Deputy's stock in trade.
Thank you. Equanimity is the secret of success. Is the promise in the programme to introduce legislation governing the practice of official telephone tapping to be kept?
The Deputy distresses me. He obviously does not listen to my Ard Fheis speeches. He would have found the answer contained there.
Is he not a sensible fellow?
My questions are brief. I am trying to extract a reply other than smart alec replies from the Taoiseach.
The Chair has no control over such matters.
The purpose of Question Time is to elicit information. Does the Taoiseach propose to change the programme on which this Government were elected in this House? If so, what areas of the programme are to change? Are negotiations under way to implement those changes? These are simple, straightforward questions.
The Government's plans and programmes are fully published, fully explained in the House and dealt with in great detail from time to time. Any changes, evolutions or developments in Government programmes in any area will be communicated to this House in due course in accordance with normal practice.
I have no wish to take from the status or importance or, indeed, self-importance of the Taoiseach's speech at the Ard Fheis, but a question about a promise to introduce legislation in this House which led to the creation of a Government approved by this House deserves a response. Would the Taoiseach state, even if it means reading the text of his Ard Fheis speech into the record, when the promise to introduce legislation to govern official telephone tapping will be kept?
It is high on the agenda.
