Alan Shatter
Question:3 Mr. Shatter asked the Taoiseach if he will make a statement on the gifts, if any, received by him during the past 12 months during trips overseas and the person or group from whom such gifts were received.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Receipt of Gifts.
It is well established international practice that, on the occasion of official visits abroad, gifts are exchanged between host and guest. In conformity with this long-standing practice, I have presented gifts of Irish quality products to my hosts in the course of the various official visits I have made abroad over the past 12 months and received reciprocal gifts.
Out of courtesy to the parties involved, I propose to adhere to the long-established practice, followed by successive administrations, of not disclosing details of such gifts.
I can assure the Deputy, that I have not received any gifts which breach the standing Government procedure instructions on this matter.
In the interests of this Government's commitment to open Government and to ethics in Government, will the Taoiseach tell the House what reciprocal gifts he received and whether in his view there is any reason that this should be a national secret? Will he not agree that, when he travels abroad representing this State, as head of Government, it is appropriate that the Irish public should know not only the nature of the gifts that may be given on their behalf to world leaders but also of the gifts the Taoiseach receives as leader of this country?
It is my view — as quite clearly it was the view of my predecessors — that it would demean the person and nation offering such gifts, if one were to indulge in the type of carry on Deputy Shatter would like us to engage in. Deputy Jim O'Keeffe made 73 trips abroad in three years and we did not ask any questions about gifts because we respected that ongoing custom.
Why not? Why does not the Taoiseach——
I am calling Deputy De Rossa.
I would like the Taoiseach to be more up front and straight about it, no more innuendo.
They are sinking very rapidly.
(Interruptions.)
What are the guidelines which apply to the receipt of gifts by members of the Government? What are the limits applicable to them? Is it intended at any stage to put on display for the public the various gifts received over the years, including those received by himself in Government?
On the subject of gifts I have already said that Government procedure instructions lay down the guidelines. There are no specific guidelines as to their amount or value. The Deputy can take it from me that——
Deputies
What are they?
Would Deputies opposite please have a little patience and await my answer——
We are afraid the Taoiseach will walk out without giving the answer.
Deputy De Rossa need not worry about that. He might be in a hurry out but I am never in a hurry. Some members pay very little attention to what is said when they are here. I might inform the House that, when the ethics in Government Bill is being prepared, this matter will be addressed and guidelines will be set.
A final question from Deputy Shatter.
Is the Taoiseach telling the House that there is no financial limit on gifts that can be retained? Will he clarify the position with regard to the ethics in Government Bill? Is it the view that no ethics should apply to this Government until the provisions of a Bill in this area are enacted?
(Interruptions.)
Is the Taoiseach aware that his Tánaiste, when on this side of the House, was very critical of his predecessor for maintaining secrecy on gifts received? Would he not agree that such secrecy is inappropriate for the Taoiseach, as it was equally inappropriate for the Tánaiste, when he refused to answer the same question last week?
That is rubbish. The Deputy is trying deliberately to misinterpret what I have been saying. There are Government procedure instructions laid down that have obtained throughout the terms of office of my predecessors and indeed every member of successive Governments. It would appear that Deputy Shatter never spoke to his colleagues when in Government or he would know exactly the procedure. If any gift of national significance is received it would be regarded as the property of the State and dealt with in the appropriate manner. The question of introducing specific, not general, guidelines is being addressed in the preparation of the Ethics Bill.
I am now proceeding to questions nominated for priority to the Minister for Equality and Law Reform. The questions we are about to embark upon are Priority Questions for which 20 minutes only is provided in Standing Orders.