Vol. 523 No. 2
1 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach if there has been any change in the nature of the understanding between the Government and Deputy Gildea; the written agreement, if any, which exists between the two parties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19132/00]
2 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach if there has been any change in the nature of the understanding between the Government and Deputy Fox; the written agreement, if any, which exists between the two parties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19133/00]
3 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach if there has been any change in the nature of the understanding between the Government and Deputy Healy-Rae; the written agreement, if any, which exists between the two parties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19134/00]
4 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach if there has been any change in the nature of the understanding between the Government and Deputy Blaney; the written agreement, if any, which exists between the two parties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19135/00]
5 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach if there has been any change in the nature of the understanding between the Government and Deputy Foley; the written agreement, if any, which exists between the two parties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19136/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 5, inclusive, together.
I have explained to the House on a number of occasions the nature of the understanding between myself and the Independent Deputies who support the Government. There has been no change in the nature of that understanding. I have also pointed out on many occasions that there is no written agreement between the Deputies and me as Taoiseach. I have made no secret of the fact that the Deputies have indicated their priorities to me for their constituencies. I have always made it clear to the House that it is my intention to deal with all these issues during the life of the Government. I expect to meet the Deputies in question shortly with a view to reviewing the situation and updating myself on their priorities over the next 18 months.
Does the Taoiseach agree that each of the Independent Deputies is truly independent not only of party but of one another and that, therefore, the Taoiseach is sustained in office by a seven party coalition?
It is correct that a number of Independents support the Government, but I do not believe they consider themselves members of parties. They see themselves as Independents.
Will the Taoiseach agree he is sustained in office by seven independently operating entities, two of which are parties and the others are individuals acting as such? Will he indicate if the understandings he has with Independents extend to independent Deputies Lawlor and Foley?
As I said previously, I have no particular understanding with those Deputies, although they indicated in their statements when they resigned from the Fianna Fáil Parliamentary Party that they would continue to support the Government and they have done so.
What undertakings, if any, were given in the past six weeks to the Independents, collectively or individually, concerning the Government's commitment to have a referendum on abortion?
I have not had a meeting with them during the past six weeks, although I am due to have one shortly. On a previous occasion three of them indicated they would like to see that happen in the life of this Government.
What was the Taoiseach's response?
My response at my next meeting with them will be that the matter cannot be pursued until we get the all-party committee's report on the Constitution.
Given that the Independents are important to the Taoiseach's continuance in office, will he accept that they can exercise considerable leverage on matters such as that to which Deputy Quinn referred? In view of the fact that the Deputies who support him have raised the issue of referring the abortion issue to the people by way of referendum, did they indicate what question they would wish to be put to the people?
No, I did not have a substantive debate with them on that issue.
Will the Taoiseach agree that so long as the question contains the word "abortion" it does not matter what the question is and that there is a degree of fixation on having a referendum as distinct from what the question to be referred to the people should be?
I assume there is not much difference in the number of letters Deputy Bruton, as Leader of the Opposition, and I receive on this issue. I receive letters from supporters of Fine Gael, the Labour Party and my party.
Did the Independent Deputies, upon whose continued support he depends for his survival as Taoiseach, request a timeframe or was one indicated to them by the Taoiseach on a decision by Government on the question of a referendum? Has the Taoiseach given any thought to that matter?
I understand the all-party committee will complete its work this month or next month and the report will then go the Cabinet sub-committee for consideration and then to Government. Therefore, I am not in a position to indicate a timeframe on this matter.
Is the timing of the all-party committee's report and the Government's consideration of it in some way connected with the continued support of the Taoiseach by the Independents and, if so, would the Taoiseach agree they have an influence on an issue that is not in proportion to the electoral support they enjoy?
The Deputy should not draw that distinction. Many of the Deputies in his party have strong views on this issue, which they have expressed. We are awaiting the report of the all-party committee. The Deputy seems to imply that I have some control over the publication of that report, which I do not.
