John Bruton
Question:13 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach if discussions are taking place between the parties forming the Government as to the continuance or otherwise of the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Review of Programme for Government.
Dick Spring
Question:14 Mr. Spring asked the Taoiseach if he will make a statment on the outcome of negotiations between the two parties in Government on a review of the Programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Dick Spring
Question:15 Mr. Spring asked the Taoiseach if he will publish a progress report on the implementation to date of the Programme for Government published in 1989; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Proinsias De Rossa
Question:16 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Taoiseach the progress which has been made to date in regard to the review of the Programme for Government; the changes, if any, which have been agreed; if it is intended to bring an amended programme before Dáil Éireann for approval; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
John Bruton
Question:17 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach if there are any changes to the Programme for Government as a result of the inter-party negotiations; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17 le chéile.
The review of the Programme for Government is at a very advanced stage. As soon as it has been completed, I will arrange for a copy to be placed in the Library of the House. It will cover the very satisfactory progress to date on the implementation of the programme, and set out further objectives and priorities for the remainder of our full term in office up to June 1994.
Is there any deadline for the conclusion of these discussions?
Four o'clock on Friday.
There is no particular deadline but I believe it would be in everybody's interest that the discussions would be concluded as quickly as possible in a matter of days.
Have the Progressive Democrats indicated that they will vote with the Government whether or not these talks are concluded by Friday?
I think I can put the Deputy's mind at rest on that matter.
Can the Taoiseach answer the question?
That is my answer.
What is the answer?
The Deputy can put his mind at rest on that matter.
This should not lead to argument. I am calling Deputy Spring.
I understand that the review of the programme and discussions in relation to a new programme started in July. The Taoiseach seems to be treating this matter rather casually. I would like to ask the Taoiseach if he is aware that this is a matter of serious public concern? I applaud the attempt to have a review and to bring forward a new programme. Can he explain what particular difficulties the parties in Government are having in relation to this review and, secondly, does he not consider that it is, to some extent, very difficult to have a debate in this House on confidence in the Government in the absence of this programme? Will it be possible for us to have sight of this programme before Friday?
I accept it would be a very valuable contribution to the debate on this confidence motion if we could have had it. It would be my intention and the intention of our partners in Government to bring it forward as quickly as possible, hopefully well before Friday.
Why the delay?
It is fair for me to say there are matters of significant importance which still have to be resolved. I think it is fairly common knowledge from the newspapers that one of the areas in which we are engaged in a very earnest and real discussion and on which we have done a great deal of research, is the whole area of tax reform. Anybody in this House knows that in regard to tax reform there are many different validly held views as to what is the best system. In regard to taxation one has to take into account a number of qualities which any good taxation system should have: first, equity as between taxpayers, second, it should be a tax system which provides incentives for development and growth and job creation and various other aspects of that. I do not think it is a debate which is capable of any very quick, facile solution. That is one of the areas in which we are engaged in a very earnest and sincere discussion.
From the point of view of an observer, we are far better informed of the views on taxation of people who are not members of this House, belonging to the Progressive Democrats, than we are about the views of Members of this House, belonging to the Government. Could the Taoiseach clarify whether there is substantial disagreement between him and the Minister for Finance on taxation reform?
No.
There is not?
There is not. The Deputy can take it that the Fianna Fáil sector of the Government have a very clear view on taxation and on the changes that we would like to see in that area. The Deputy will accept that there are valid grounds for genuine differences of opinion as to the ideal form of taxation, particularly in our circumstances where we have a major underlying budgetary difficulty in servicing every year a very large national debt. A great deal of our revenue has to go to that purpose. We also have a clear need to achieve a much higher level of economic development to provide job. In our circumstances it is not easy to decide on the ideal form of taxation. That is a very valid ground for discussion.
Perhaps the Taoiseach would take the opportunity today to indicate what has been agreed between his part of the Government and the Progressive Democrats part of the Government. The Taoiseach says there is a number of areas still outstanding, one being taxation. Apart from putting the document in the House, if it is finally agreed, would the Taoiseach provide for a debate on the programme in the House at the earliest possible opportunity?
That can be considered but I do not wish to put the programme piecemeal before the House. A very substantial amount of the programme has been satisfactorily decided.
It has been suggested that one of the areas which has been agreed relates to an alteration in the electoral system. This has created some controversy. Is that a fact?
The Deputy will have to wait to see the programme when it is produced.
In the context of the very helpful and extensive reply he gave to Deputy Spring in relation to tax issues, could the Taoiseach expand on that and confirm that the Progressive Democrats are seeking to abolish mortgage tax relief? The Taoiseach might indicate his party's attitude to that. In the context of the discussions that have taken place, is it intended that this programme will repeat all the promises made about Dáil reform that were contained in the 1989 programme and which were to be implemented in December 1989 but which have not yet been implemented? Could the Taoiseach explain why any such proposals repeated in a new programme should be taken seriously?
I am not prepared to respond to Deputy Shatter who is engaging in what is sometimes known as cherry picking. I cannot be expected to reply to specific aspects of the taxation reform programme. Suffice it to say that there is a comprehensive examination being carried out. With regard to Dáil reform, the Deputy knows that that is primarily a matter for all parties in the House, through the Committee on Procedure and Privileges but the Deputy can be assured that there will be considerable proposals in that regard in the programme.
Will we have a foreign affairs committee this session, as an example of Dáil reform?
I want to bring in Deputy Michael Lowry for a final question.
In view of the fact that it is the stated aim, through the media, of the Progressive Democrats side of the Government, to force the Government to give further ground, will the Taoiseach present this agreement to his own parliamentary party for approval before it is placed before the House?
That is irrelevant.
The Deputy need not be unduly concerned about the rights of the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party. They are well able to look after themselves.
(Interruptions.)
I am not sure. They might need some help, considering their recent attempts.
In relation to Question No. 15, the Taoiseach did not actually address the point in relation to a progress report on the implementation of the original programme of the Progressive Democrats and Fianna Fáil. Will we have access to a progress report in relation to that programme, many parts of which have not been implemented particularly in relation to Dáil reform?
A great deal of it has been implemented and there will be a reference to that in the programme.