Dermot Ahern
Question:5 Mr. D. Ahern asked the Taoiseach when the Government will carry out a formal review of the progress in implementing the programme, A Government of Renewal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19399/96]
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers - Review of Government Programme.
Progress in implementing the programme, A Government of Renewal, is reviewed on a continuing basis at the weekly meetings of the programme managers who report to the three party leaders. It is not intended that there should be any additional review, formal or otherwise.
The Government is satisfied with the progress being made in implementing the programme as a whole, it is also satisfied that the existing review arrangements are appropriate given the nature of the commitments.
I note the Taoiseach's comment that the programme is reviewed weekly but in the last paragraph of the document there is the undertaking that it would be reviewed on an annual basis and a steering committee established. Is the Taoiseach prepared to offer an opinion on that promise? In the context of Oireachtas reform, and having regard to the row we have had today and to the rows which occur regularly during Question Time, the House has not encountered much of the openness, transparency and accountability outlined in the second paragraph of the Government programme. Is the Taoiseach satisfied with progress in that regard?
The steering committee, which functions in accordance with the programme for Government, is the committee of programme managers. They conduct an ongoing review, but also in-depth reviews from time to time on particular areas of work. The Government partners are satisfied with the way the system is working. All relevant parties are party to Cabinet discussions and may raise any issues they wish to raise. That is working well.
The Deputy is probably aware that Minister of State, Deputy Higgins, is at an advanced stage regarding proposals for further reform of the Oireachtas. These will be presented in the near future. However, I do not expect any reform of the Oireachtas will entirely satisfy the Opposition, any more than Oireachtas reforms would satisfy any Opposition. From time to time it is the Opposition's job to appear dissatisfied and the Government anticipates that.
It is not just a matter of the Opposition seeking amendments to the rules. The Taoiseach was in Opposition and he knows what it is like on the Opposition benches.
It is miserable.
It is the duty of every Member——
A question please, Deputy.
——to make the House more open. Is the steering committee made up of programme managers? Are there no politicians on the committee overviewing progress in relation to the Government programme? Regarding a specific promise in the Government programme, what is the position in relation to the third banking force?
There are no politicians on the committee of programme managers, which is the overall steering committee.
Shame.
However, the system is working as it did under the previous Government when a committee of programme managers also met from time to time. There has been no change.
Progress is slow.
The Taoiseach is abdicating responsibility.
The initiative works well and I compliment the previous Government for introducing such approach.
It was against the Taoiseach's better judgment at the time.
It undoubtedly facilitates the conduct of Government business by ensuring that issues, which would otherwise lead to lengthy dissertations at the Cabinet table, are dealt with expeditiously.
There was an example of it during the week.
It is an alternative Cabinet.
Regarding political involvement, the programme managers report regularly on their work to their Ministers. In that sense, political direction is given. In addition, the leaders of the three parties meet at least weekly, and often more frequently, to review progress.
Regarding the legislative programme, a committee consisting of some of the programme managers is examining priorities in terms of drafting. This committee is chaired by Minister of State, Deputy Higgins.
They are not doing much. The Tánaiste is doing very little.
I call Deputy Harney. However, the time for questions to the Taoiseach is fast running out.
What about the third banking force?
I called Deputy Harney. I will call the Deputy again.
I asked the question already.
I omitted to answer Deputy Ahern.
I have called Deputy Harney and she will be heard.
Is it still the Taoiseach's view that Government and the people it serves have been damaged by a lack of openness, as stated on page 7 of the programme?
Most Members must recognise that this Government takes great care to answer comprehensively any questions put to it. Most Members will realise I take particular care to ensure I am in a position to give comprehensive answers to questions in the House.
The Taoiseach gets answers from Fine Gael, the Labour Party, Democratic Left and from Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, if he is around.
Is Deputy Rabbitte preparing a press release?
Deputy Rabbitte is putting a bandage on his knuckles.
Almost every week, Deputy Harney attempts to accuse me of misleading the House, a word she seems to use most frequently in her contributions.
The Taoiseach never answers the question.
The record will show that I have given full, fair and honest answers to questions in the House on a regular basis. I will continue to do so for a considerable time.
I did not accuse the Taoiseach of misleading the House, rather of evading answering parliamentary questions. Why has no member of Government been held accountable for the procedures adopted with regard to the QMP contract? Why have we only heard from an unelected official?
That is another matter——
It is a relevant question to the Government regarding openness.
Doubtless the Deputy will find an appropriate time to raise that matter.
My question was transferred. I want to know why nobody has been held accountable——
The Deputy must realise she is out of order.
It is an important matter. The only Ministers held accountable are Fine Gael Ministers.
The Deputy should not continue speaking from a seated position.
On the programme of renewal may I ask the Taoiseach——
Answer the question, Taoiseach.
The Taoiseach is distracted.
I ruled the Deputy out of order.
The Deputy's questions were answered today.
Deputy Howling has been very silent. Where has he been for the past week?
A Deputy
He was silenced last night.
Does the Taoiseach agree that if the Government had adhered to the spending targets in the programme of renewal there would be no need for a current budget deficit and over £100 million extra would be available for tax relief? Does he accept taxpayers have been cheated?
What would the Deputy cut?
The Deputy is anticipating the budget.
I am glad the Deputy asked that question. I remind him that, when his party was in office and he was Minister for Finance, public spending increased by three times as much as it will increase under this Government.
I remind the Taoiseach of the tax on children's shoes.
I invite Deputy Ahern to address himself to comments made recently by Deputy Walsh, his party's spokesperson on social welfare. He called for increases in public spending——
Does the Taoiseach remember the 2.5 per cent?
——over and above what the Government is undertaking.
The Taoiseach was voted down when he was the Minister for Finance.
Answer the question.
However, addressing a different audience, Deputy Bertie Ahern said spending is increasing too much. He seems to operate on the fallacy that he can deliver one speech to business and finance while hoping nobody will read the statements of party spokespersons——
Does the Taoiseach recognise that position?
——calling for increases in public spending. It seems the position of Fianna Fáil is that it is in favour of both increasing and reducing public spending.
Does the Taoiseach accept that the figures in the programme of renewal are nonsense and that effectively taxpayers have been cheated to the extent of £100 million in the first year of his Government?
No, I do not. However, I accept the Deputy has a problem of coherence with regard to economic policy.
It is hard to listen to that nonsense from a man who tried to introduce two budgets and failed.
Deputy Ahern is attempting to go in two directions at the one time, and that is impossible.
The Taoiseach cannot keep the three parties in Government in line.
I hesitate to call another question as the time for dealing with questions to the Taoiseach is almost exhausted.
What about QMP? Will the Taoiseach answer that question?
There are five other questions but I do not think they can be taken in a minute. That is the end of questions to the Taoiseach for today. The House will proceed to questions nominated for priority.