Mary Harney
Question:13 Miss Harney asked the Taoiseach when he intends to fill the three Junior Ministerial vacancies in the present administration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [682/94]
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Junior Ministerial Vacancies.
An announcement will be made in the normal way when these vacancies are being filled. I hope there will not be any complaint about this short answer, bearing in mind that there were complaints about long ones earlier.
Deputy Batt O'Keeffe was hoping for a little more than that; it appears that Deputy Martin stole a march on him.
He has the sword of Damocles hanging over him.
(Interruptions.)
Would the Taoiseach agree with me that, given that we have been able to do without these three junior Ministers in recent months, we do not need 15 junior Ministers? Therefore, would he consider not appointing three people to fill these vacancies? After all, the number was extended only in 1979 to cater for a particular problem that arose then and we do not need 15 junior Ministers.
I never heard that viewpoint expressed by the Progressive Democrats when they were in Government with us, when Deputy Harney was the recipient of one of those 15 portfolios herself. She did not offer to give it up, did not say the country did not need her. I thought she did a reasonably good job.
(Interruptions.)
Given the restrictions placed on me, I think so too.
Would the Taoiseach outline the functions fulfilled by the Ministers of State who have now departed, indicating how they are now being fulfilled?
Deputy John Bruton, as a former Minister, knows quite well that a Minister or Minister of State can carry out the functions of a particular Department, and that is what is happening. To help his recollection I might say that Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher was Minister of State at the Department of the Gaeltacht and Deputy Liam Hyland was Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry with responsibility for rural development.
What precisely were the delegated functions within the two Departments that those two Ministers of State fulfilled? Can the Taoiseach tell me — if he knows and, if he does not, we can draw our own conclusions therefrom — who is now fulfilling those delegated functions? I presume the Taoiseach knows that.
Smart alecry again. Deputy Michael D. Higgins is Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht fulfilling that function in one area and Deputy Joe Walsh, Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry, fulfilling it in another. I am surprised Deputy John Bruton cannot recognise what these people are doing.
I know who are the relevant Ministers. I simply wanted to know whether those functions have been delegated to another Minister of State or retained by the relevant senior Minister. For example, has the Taoiseach noted any reduction in efficiency resulting from the fact that we now have two fewer Ministers of State?
The question asks the Taoiseach when he intends to fill the three ministerial vacancies in the present administration. We are now having quite an extension of that question.
Does the Taoiseach notice any problem in getting the relevant business done?
If the Deputy will table a separate question I will reply to it.
I notice a number of Members offering. Deputy Rabbitte appears to be asserting himself.
(Interruptions.)
I have been attempting to do that without much success for a long time, a Cheann Comhairle.
Will the Taoiseach indicate whether he intends to fill those vacancies before the outcome of the Cork by-elections, or will Deputy O'Keeffe and others have to await productivity returns on those elections before these appointments are made?
I must repeat what I said — Deputy Rabbitte must not have been listening — an announcement will be made in the normal way when these vacancies are being filled.
What does that mean?
It means what it says.
Would the Taoiseach say what is the reason for the delay in appointing these three Ministers of State?
Productivity has risen.
An announcement will be made in the normal way when these vacancies are being filled.
Let us endeavour to avoid repetition. I am calling Deputy Michael McDowell.
A Cheann Comhairle, there is no repetition, I am simply asking the reason for the delay in appointing these three Ministers of State. It is quite reasonable that we should know that.
The Deputy has asked that a number of times.
No, sorry, it was the first time.
A Cheann Comhairle, you said you were in favour of eliciting maximum information earlier today.
Yes, but I recognise repetition when I hear it.
No, sorry, my question asked the reason for the delay in appointing these three Ministers of State.
The Deputy made that point on a number of occasions.
What is the answer?
No abnormal delay.
I cannot understand how the Taoiseach can say there is no abnormal delay in filling some of these vacancies because, quite clearly, there is an abnormal delay. Are we to understand that all the offices of these Ministers of State are fully manned, ticking over normally, that nobody, whether personal secretaries or others, has been let go, that they are all in situ receiving their salaries while these vacancies persist?
Deputy Michael McDowell should know well that when a Minister or Minister of State leaves, for whatever reason, his or her personal secretaries revert into the system.
While accepting that their personal secretaries will have left, will the Taoiseach say whether all of the civil servants have been taken from these offices or do they remain there?
If the Deputy will table a specific question asking who has gone and who remains, I will be glad to answer it.
They are all still there awaiting their new bosses.
I did not say that.