Bertie Ahern
Question:6 Mr. B. Ahern asked the Taoiseach the extent to which he considers the programme for renewal has been fulfilled; and the reason for the non-implementation of a number of commitments. [4285/97]
Ceísteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Programme for Renewal.
The commitments in the programme, A Government of Renewal, have been overwhelmingly fulfilled. Progress is being made towards the implementation of the few commitments remaining to be fulfilled.
The following are among the major achievements of this Government. There is a renewed economic and social partnership, as demonstrated by partnership 2000. We have sustained job creation at the rate of 1,000 jobs per week, a rate never previously attained. Small businesses, the backbone of our economy, have prospered in a tax regime which has seen their corporate tax rate drop from 40 per cent to 28 per cent. We have reduced the tax burden on individuals. A family with one earner on the average industrial wage and three children is £32.50 a week or 15 per cent better off than it was before this Government was formed. A family with one spouse earning twice the average industrial wage and two children at third level is £5,350 a year better off.
Over the life of this Government child benefit has increased by more than 50 per cent. This is a universal benefit, it is not means tested and it goes mainly to women with children. For the less well off in our community, all social welfare benefits have increased by at least twice the rate of inflation.
The capitation grants in primary schools have gone up by 20 per cent. Third level fees have been abolished.
Inflation has been kept at an average of 2 per cent per annum. The debt ratio has fallen from 88 per cent when we came into office to a projected 69 per cent at the end of this year.
In the process of renewing Government, we have launched the Strategic Management Initiative which is about to be underpinned by the most far reaching and fundamental reform of the public service ever. The public service management Bill will be published shortly. It will introduce reform on the premise of starting with people and valuing each individual's contribution towards the running of the public service. The Bill is aimed at orienting everyone in the public sector towards the customer, the members of the public who use the services of the State.
The freedom of information legislation will have a major impact on people's access to information in the possession of Government Departments and State agencies, both about themselves and the workings of the Government and administration.
The reform of the Attorney General's office has been completed with obvious benefits in efficiency and effectiveness.
In the area of crime and justice, the Government has introduced the most far reaching reforms in this area for many decades. The crime bosses are now being vigorously pursued and being nailed by the Criminal Assets Bureau. The Government has successfully carried through the bail referendum giving the courts power to stop repeat offenders abusing our system of civil rights. Legislation is imminent to reform the courts and the prison service. The biggest programme for providing prison places in the history of the State is under way.
On divorce, this Government finally succeeded in changing the Constitution so that our laws could be made more compassionate for those involved in the tragedy of marriage breakdown.
In relation to Northern Ireland, I have recently listed the achievements of the Government in some detail. Suffice it on this occasion to point to the successful negotiation of the Joint Framework Document, the international body's report to overcome the problem of the decommissioning of paramilitary weapons, the achievement of a fixed date for inclusive all-party negotiations, the achievement of ground rules to provide a fair and balanced framework for those negotiations and the appointment of an independent international chairman, Senator George Mitchell, who with his colleagues from Canada and Finland can give maximum external input to the achievement of a satisfactory outcome to the negotiations. An historic process of talks, never previously achieved, has now been put in place and if the IRA declares a ceasefire, it will be possible for Sinn Féin to play its part. I know that all parties in this House are in full agreement on this point.
Across the whole range of issues in the programme, A Government of Renewal, the record of this Administration has been one of achievement in an efficient and effective manner. It is a record of which I, the Tánaiste, the Minister for Social Welfare and all our ministerial colleagues can be justly proud.
If there is any specific commitment on which the Deputy requires further evidence of this Government's remarkable achievements, I invite him to put down the question to the relevant Minister in the normal way.
I was endeavouring to be brief, but the Taoiseach must have spent all weekend thinking of things he could say about the Government. If he is so proud of its achievements, he should put it to the test and get on with calling an election. I note he did not mention water rates. I would like to hear about the Government's proud achievements in that area.
On a more serious note, the Taoiseach referred to the great tax reform, a reduction of 1 per cent in the standard rate in three years. He also referred to the number of jobs created and said that rate was never previously attained, but the same figures were achieved in the year prior to the year he took up office.
The Government's legislative programme is extremely disappointing. The Taoiseach stated on taking up office, and in reply to many questions put to him here, that he would introduce reform in respect of some of the matters that had been outstanding for many years. Other than amending the Ministers and Secretaries Act, 1924, to provide for the appointment of the Minister of State, Deputy Carey, the Taoiseach has not amended it. He refused to deal with the issue of Cabinet confidentiality, but he appears to have changed his mind on that in the recent past. He has not dealt with legislation providing for the protection of journalists' sources. A report has been published on the disabilities Act, but legislation has not been introduced to amend it. Action has not been taken on the important legislation to which I referred or on legislation on Dáil reform, the aspects of which have been long identified and in respect of which the Taoiseach and his colleagues have drawn directly from the documents Fianna Fáil negotiated with Labour. The Government changed some of the commas. Can we take it that the Taoiseach has no interest in dealing with any of that important legislation?
The short answer to that is "absolutely not", but I will give the Deputy a longer answer. On reform of the Ministers and Secretaries Act, amending legislation, the public service management Bill, will be published soon. Regarding the Cabinet confidentiality issue, the Government is in the process of drafting a suitable constitutional amendment to deal with that. On the protection of journalists' sources, an interesting and useful judgment on that matter was handed down in the European Court of Human Rights, which will need to inform our legislation. That is being examined currently by the Government. It is appropriate that any legislation we introduce on that matter should be consonant and consistent with the position adopted by the European Court of Human Rights.
On Dáil reform, it will be a matter of interest to historians that the document the Deputy's party negotiated with the Labour Party contained provisions on Dáil reform. Those provisions were identical to those contained in Fine Gael's proposals published prior to that document to which the Deputy referred. As to who thought of what first, I could claim I was the author of those proposals adopted by the Deputy's party when in Government, but it does not matter who gets the credit for this. The introduction of business committees in this House for processing legislation has been an unalloyed success as it has allowed Members to take part in a much better way in the passage of legislation, where previously, as many Deputies who were in previous Dáils will remember, large sections of Bills were not debated on Committee Stage because of a lack of time here. At present, virtually all sections of each Bill are discussed fully. This leads to a better quality of legislation even if Ministers experience difficulties and problems and are obliged to work hard to have their proposals accepted.
Is the Taoiseach satisfied with the Government's delivery on the commitment to make officeholders, including the Attorney General, amenable to committees of the House? Is he satisfied with the commitment shown by the Government to reform of the defamation laws?
In respect of the Deputy's first question, I am very satisfied because the present Attorney General is the first holder of that office to appear before a committee of this House. He did so voluntarily and performed extremely well. One would expect this of a person who is probably the most distinguished Attorney General appointed in the history of the State.
The Taoiseach stated that he would change the law.
A number of other Attorneys General appeared before committees of the House.
Deputy McDowell tabled questions on the defamation laws on previous occasions and the Government is considering that matter in light of the report of the Law Reform Commission on the subject.
The Taoiseach stated that the law would be changed.
It is important that there should be a balanced approach in this matter. I have already responded to questions on defamation and I have nothing further to add at present.
The Taoiseach stated that many Bills have been dealt with comprehensively. However, it is proposed to guillotine a Bill before 10.30 p.m. tonight. Is it not correct that the Government voted down an amendment I tabled to the Committees of the Houses of the Oireachtas (Compellability, Privileges and Immunities of Witnesses) Bill on that subject? Is it also not correct that when the House recently debated Dáil privilege the Government voted down 11 proposals I put forward?
With regard to the issue of journalist privilege, it is fair to state that this does not solely arise in the context of compelling people to appear before committees of the House because that issue also has application in other fora.
Make a start.
The Deputy should permit me to complete my reply. The matter should be dealt with across the board in light of the judgement of the European Court of Human Rights to which I referred earlier. To what did the first part of the Deputy's question relate?
Guillotine motions.
Yes.
I thank the Deputies for that information but the schedule for tonight's business was agreed by the Deputy's party.
No, it was not.
The Programme for Government made a commitment to retaining a majority stake in all State companies. In view of comments by the new owners of 20 per cent of Telecom Éireann that they wish it to be privatised within two to three years, does the Government's stated policy remain intact? The Programme for Government also makes a commitment to introduce competition between MMDS and deflector system operators. Does the Government intend to deliver on that commitment before the general election?
With regard to the Deputy's first question, the Government's policy has not changed from that stated in the programme. It is open to anyone who wishes to argue the matter to put forward their views in the normal way. There is no compulsion on partners in any State enterprise to desist from expressing their opinion.
Is there a deal in place?
In respect of the Deputy's second question, the Government requested that an independent assessment of the feasibility of allowing competition between MMDS and deflector system operators be carried out by consultants nominated by the European Broadcasting Union.
The Taoiseach did not state that during a videotaped interview in Cork.
I understand that the consultants' report was furnished to the Minister today for examination.
When is it intended to hold referenda on Cabinet confidentiality and votes for emigrants? Will they take place on the same day?
I already indicated that the Government does not intend to hold a referendum on votes for emigrants.
It has sunk without trace.
It has not been decided when to hold the referendum on Cabinet confidentiality because the legislation must be finalised.
That is the end of questions to the Taoiseach. We will now deal with questions nominated for priority.