John Bruton
Question:14 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach if he proposes any further review of the Joint Programme for Government.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Joint Programme for Government.
No. I was fully involved with my colleague Deputy Ahern, then Minister for Labour, in the review of the joint programme last October. Any new initiatives I would propose to take would be within the board framework of agreed Government policy as set out in the joint programme, the Programme for Economic and Social Progress and other key Government documents, such as the budget, the Estimates and the EC operational programmes.
Would it be fair to say that the changes of Ministers in the Fianna Fáil Party will not result in a change in the policy of the Government?
I have full confidence in the team I chose to carry out the job both at Cabinet and Minister of State level and that they will do so better than any of their predecessors.
Will the Taoiseach confirm that, despite the extensive changes of personnel, he has just told us in effect that the policy remains exactly the same as that of his predecessor?
We are having repetition.
I did not even say that.
In view of the comment by the Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications prior to her meeting with the groups in Shannon that all proposals of her predecessor had fallen with the previous Government, does this mean that all proposals in the negotiated programme have also fallen? Is it now necessary and mandatory that the programme be reviewed for the remainder of the lifetime of the Government?
Of this temporary little arrangement.
That is a separate question and I suggest the Deputy put it down to the relevant Minister or, indeed, to me at a later date if he so wishes.
It is all in safe hands?
Deputy Madeleine Taylor-Quinn.
May I ask the Taoiseach——
Deputy Taylor-Quinn has been called but she is ignoring the Chair.
May we have clarification from the Taoiseach as to whether this statement applies to——
Sorry, I have called Deputy Taylor-Quinn.
In view of the Taoiseach's reply are we to take it that he does not intend to set up a jobs forum under the reorganised Government?
No, I did not say any such thing.
What then are the Taoiseach's plans?
He has a temporpary little arrangement.