Vol. 659 No. 1
1 Deputy Eamon Gilmore asked the Taoiseach the non-established civil servants or contract staff currently employed in his Department; if changes are planned in respect of these personnel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14625/08]
2 Deputy Eamon Gilmore asked the Taoiseach the role and responsibility of the special political advisers or other non-Civil Service staff employed by him; if changes are planned in regard to these personnel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14626/08]
3 Deputy Enda Kenny asked the Taoiseach the names, titles and duties of the programme managers and advisers appointed by him; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17125/08]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 3, inclusive, together.
There are 12 non-established civil servants, including contract staff, currently employed in my Department and in my Tullamore constituency office. Mr. Joe Lennon is my programme manager, and Professor Peter Clinch, Mr. Gerry Steadman, Mr. Brian Murphy and Mr. Declan Ryan are my special advisers.
Under the direction of the programme manager, the primary function of the special advisers is to monitor, facilitate and help secure the achievement of Government objectives and to ensure effective co-ordination in the implementation of the programme for Government. They are also tasked with giving me advice and keeping me informed on a wide range of issues, including business, financial, economic, political, environmental, administrative and media matters, and performing such other functions as may be directed by me from time to time. In addition, several of my advisers have specific responsibilities in regard to speech drafting. My programme manager meets other ministerial advisers on a weekly basis. He monitors and reports to me on progress in implementing the programme for Government.
The Government Chief Whip has four non-established civil servants employed in my Department and in his Finglas constituency office. The two constituency staff are work sharers. Mr. Padraig Slyne is the special adviser to the Government Chief Whip.
There is one Government press secretary, Mr. Eoghan Ó Neachtain, and two deputy Government press secretaries, Mr. Mark Costigan and Mr. John Downing. These are supported by two non-established civil servants. The Government press secretary and press officers provide an information service on Government policy to the public through the national and international media on behalf of myself, my Department and the Government, together with promoting a co-ordinated approach to media matters across all Departments. The central task of the deputy Government press secretaries is to assist the Government press secretary in communicating to the media the decisions of Government.
The personal assistants and personal secretaries in my Department have a range of duties, including providing administrative assistance in the constituency office, the protocol division and the Government Chief Whip's office. The Green Party programme manager, based in Government Buildings, is not a member of staff of my Department.
The political advisers in my Department are appointed in accordance with the terms of the Civil Service (Regulation) Act 2006 and the relevant directions of the Department of Finance.
My Department currently employs nine non-established civil servants. These are its librarian, five UCC students on internships, two temporary clerical officers who are replacing Department staff on term time, and one civilian driver assigned to the Leader of the Seanad. The librarian in my Department has responsibility for the management of the library and information services in the Department.
The five UCC students currently on placement in my Department are being given an opportunity to complete the work experience module of the UCC B.Sc. in government and public policy 2008.
Term-time working provides for leave for the purpose of allowing working parents or primary carers to match their working arrangements to the main summer holidays of their children, or to care for a person who resides with them and who has a disability which gives rise to the need for care on a continuing or frequent basis. Under this term-time scheme, my Department has taken on two temporary clerical officers on a 15-week contract basis to cover for permanent staff who are availing of term time over the summer months.
I understand the Taoiseach has arranged a press conference for 3.15 p.m., immediately after Taoiseach's Questions, at which he intends to announce the decisions that were made by the Government this morning with regard to the state of the public finances and the economy. As regards the questions currently before him, will he tell the House if the Government has made any decision concerning the restriction or embargo on employment, or any limitation on recruitment or employment of public or civil servants? Second, has the Government made any decision with regard to the replacement of public servants who leave? Third, has the Government made any decision with regard to the pay and remuneration of public servants? How will the decisions made this morning apply to the categories of staff covered by the three questions he is now answering?
The Government concluded its meeting a short time ago. As a matter of courtesy a statement or press release will be laid before the House at 3.30 p.m. at the same time as I am having a press conference with the Minister for Finance. The question of how we deal with pay issues going forward is a critical matter. From my point of view, the staff referred to in these questions are unaffected, in specific terms, as regards any decisions that are to be announced concerning those matters. Specifically, however, special advisers act under the various guidelines that are set out for remuneration and they are adhered to in this respect.
I return to my Question No. 1, which refers to non-established civil servants and contract staff. Question No. 2 refers to special political advisers or other staff employed by the Taoiseach, his Ministers of State and his Department. The latter question specifically asks if changes are planned in respect of those personnel. The Taoiseach has effectively confirmed that the Government has made decisions this morning concerning the employment, recruitment, replacement, pay and conditions of public servants generally. What are those decisions? They clearly concern the staff which are the subject of these questions. My question specifically asks about changes in regard to those personnel.
These questions relate to the Taoiseach's Department.
Yes.
We cannot broaden it.
I am asking about the Taoiseach's Department. The Government has made decisions this morning and I am asking the Taoiseach if he will tell the House what decisions have been made about staff recruitment, replacement and pay, since those decisions clearly concern staff which are the subject of these questions.
It does not concern the staff referred to in these questions. These non-established civil servants, including contract staff and political advisers, remain in place for the duration of my tenure. Their tenure ends whenever my tenure ends.
We will be having a press conference today at 3.30 p.m. on the decisions made by the Government. The press release will be laid before the House and there will be an opportunity at 4.15 p.m. to discuss it further. There will then be a nine hour debate on the economy over Wednesday and Thursday. The Government is preparing the press release at present, based on decisions which have just been made.
The specific personnel mentioned in the questions are governed by the guidelines that apply to special advisers under the Public Service Management Act 1997.
Did the Taoiseach say that there are five interns from UCC working in his Department? I did not hear him clearly. Is there a specific reason the students are from UCC, as distinct from other colleges, or is there some kind of rota?
It is a work experience module in a degree programme of that university, known as the bachelor of science in government and public policy.
It does not apply to other universities.
No. I was just making the point that they are in my Department. They are not answering to me.
I understand that. Can the Taoiseach confirm that there is now a freeze in the appointment of further political advisers? I know that the Taoiseach has taken on an eminent professor of economics who deals with emissions. Does this mean that he is now effectively removing control of the climate change area from the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government? He never attends this House anyway.
I do not agree with that. In addition to providing policy advice on economic and other areas, Professor Clinch advises me on the process of integrating policies across different Departments, in anticipation of the challenges posed by the international environmental policy agenda. He has a level of expertise in this area, but also in economics generally. His particular expertise is an indication of the priority that we attach to the issue, as it assists us to meet a challenging agenda.
I recognise that it is a challenge and I am aware of his expertise. I just assumed that the Taoiseach felt he needed to get a hold of the issue in his own Department, which would explain the professor's appointment. Is there now a freeze on the appointment of political advisers?
No appointments are contemplated at the moment, but we would leave open the possibility of taking advice for whatever length of time, either formally or informally. Professor Clinch brings a level of expertise to an important area, which is how to integrate policies across different Departments in order to develop economic efficiency, environmental sustainability and the general question of energy security. This is a major issue for Ireland, Europe and the wider world.
From the Taoiseach's replies, it seems the categories of special political adviser, contract staff and non-established civil servants, who are mainly employed for political purposes, will be exempt from the Government's decision today on the recruitment and replacement of staff in the public service. Is that what the Taoiseach's replies to the House indicate?
No, that would not be a correct understanding of my reply. I simply wish to make the point that it is open to an incumbent Taoiseach to employ advice as required. As I said in my response, I do not contemplate further advisers in the immediate term, based on the advice I have at the moment.
If the Minister sitting beside the Taoiseach, Deputy Hanafin, states that her Department is becoming more important as a safety net for the quarter of a million people who will be on the dole by Christmas and decides she needs another political adviser, when the Taoiseach says such an appointment is not contemplated, does this mean it is not ruled out? With reference to what Deputy Gilmore said, is the category of political adviser exempt from any proposed embargo or freeze or reduction in numbers being contemplated by the Government in respect of the current situation? If a Minister or Minister of State wants to take on another political adviser to help to deal with the wrath of the public, will the Taoiseach sanction such an appointment or will he decide the Government needs to show good example and there will be no more recruitment of political advisers during his term?
I am simply saying that everyone will comply with the existing guidelines. There is no requirement for Ministers to need any further advisers beyond those they already have, based on the current regulations and guidelines. The Department of the Taoiseach has the opportunity, should it be required or necessary, for the Taoiseach to provide himself with advice as Head of Government. As I outlined in a previous reply, I do not contemplate changing the present arrangements in the foreseeable future.
I wish to concentrate on the position from today onwards. I understand from the Taoiseach's responses to the questions that if he or any of his Ministers is of a mind to employ additional political advice or additional staff in their offices, they are free to do so and that whatever decisions have been made by the Government, do not apply to the employment of staff in ministerial offices or in the Taoiseach's Department.
What is the position from today onwards with regard to the replacement of the categories of staff to which I have referred? If one of those staff leaves, will he or she be replaced or is there an embargo or restriction on the replacement of such staff, particularly arising from whatever decisions the Taoiseach has made today and which he is not prepared to share with the House just now anyway?
There are regulations in place as to the number of staff Ministers are allowed and these must be complied with. Staff are provided on the basis of need and for the provision of whatever advice is required. Under the Public Service Management Act, that restriction does not apply in the Taoiseach's office, although as I have said, I do not contemplate increasing the number of advisers I have.
The Government has just made decisions which we are currently preparing to bring to public attention and as a result I cannot share them with the House at this moment. The question will be to deal with these matters in a practical and sensible way.
We must be the only Parliament in the world where Government makes a decision and the Head of the Government will not tell the House what that decision is until he goes out to a press conference to tell them first. However, I will leave that aside. My question relates to the special advisers, contract staff and non-established civil servants, who work in the Taoiseach's Department, many of them involved in political duties. The Taoiseach told the House the number of staff who are currently employed. Is the Taoiseach saying this number will not increase beyond today? If one of those staff from any of those categories, leaves, will he or she be replaced? Does the Government's decision today affect this in any way?
To answer the question again for Deputy Gilmore — I am not trying to be problematic — I do not contemplate a situation in which more staff are required.
I am not asking what the Taoiseach is contemplating. I am looking for facts.
On an individual retiring from the present complement, it will be a matter for decision by me whether a replacement would be required. It will depend on the circumstances. The issue is to ensure we comply with the regulations set out in the Public Service Management Act 1997. I recall the first political party to insist on special advisers was the good Labour Party itself when it came into office.
The Government will cut back on nurses though.
The history lecture is not necessary.
I will pursue the question another way. I appreciate the Taoiseach may be becoming a bit weary of the questioning. If he answered it, however, we could move off from it.
Does this mean that from today there is no embargo on the recruitment of political advisers and contract staff in the Taoiseach's Department and other ministerial offices? Does this mean there is no restriction on replacement of adviser and contract staff? The Taoiseach said several times that if he contemplated he needed more advisers, there is no restriction on increasing the number of such staff in his office.
There is a limit on the number of advisers a Minister can have, and that is being complied with. Under the Public Service Management Act no such restrictions on the number of special advisers to the Department of the Taoiseach apply. However, I do not intend in the foreseeable future to provide for any further advisers. On the question of should a replacement be required if someone retires or resigns, it can be considered on its merits but I would be mindful of the overall situation.
Does this refer to the further recruitment of consultants? Are we to be faced with a raft of consultants doing work on an hourly basis for Ministers and the Government over the next 12 months? Has the Taoiseach decided to use the resources of the public service and the expertise within it? Does the Taoiseach's reply allow him to employ a raft of consultants between now and next year?
The Taoiseach referred to the press conference at 3.30 p.m. that he will hold with the Minister for Finance and the subsequent statements to the House. Will this spell out all the decisions made at Cabinet this morning? Will we have to wait until each individual Minister gives a statement over the next several days?
We cannot discuss this matter.
The Taoiseach has referred to this several times already.
The question refers to the non-established civil servants, contract staff and political advisers in the Taoiseach's Department.
It refers to public service numbers, the recruitment of political advisers and consultants.
It is not the Government's intention to employ a raft of consultants on an hourly basis. The Government intends to use the resources available to the State within Departments, and outside them when appropriate, to ensure the right decisions are made for the country. That has been a feature of every Government in the past.
When Deputy Martin was Minister for Health and Children, he had 20 advisers.
It has been my intention for the House to debate the actions to be taken by the Government to deal with the current economic situation. I do not intend to defer decisions until after the House goes into recess. The Cabinet meeting ended not so long ago and the press release has been prepared. When the press conference is held, the press release will be made available to the House at the same time. There will be an opportunity at 4.15 p.m. for some questions to be asked, and there will be a debate for nine hours. There will be an opportunity for everyone to come into the House and for the position to be explained to the House, in so far as possible. No more open or detailed way can be found to do this apart from that outlined in the interests of communicating to everyone and having a debate on the issues as they arise. The Government is being as open as it possibly can be.
The Taoiseach has said that if a member of the staff leaves, he will make a decision as to whether he or she will be replaced. Similarly, if he believes at some stage that he wants to add to the number of staff, he can do so. Will the same rule apply to every other Department and every other section of the public sector? Will all managers in the public sector have the same latitude the Taoiseach described, or is this just an arrangement for himself?
The point I am making is that under the Public Service Management Act certain issues arise in respect of advice to the Department of the Taoiseach, which are specific. As regards the general point, we shall be outlining the position at 3.30 p.m. and subsequently the general approach the Government wishes to take in control of public expenditure going forward, including the question of staff costs.
How can we be sure the decisions the Cabinet has made this morning will actually be implemented? The Taoiseach has just said the Government will employ whatever expertise it believes is necessary in order to make the best decisions for the country. I respect that, as I do the Taoiseach's willingness to have a debate in the House, which is only right and proper as this is the forum of the people.
The Taoiseach's successor as Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Micheál Martin, produced 120 consultant reports at great public expense, very few of which were ever implemented. In the report on the national development plan produced just recently by the Minister for Finance, there is a €251 million underspend in the energy programme. When the press release is issued at 3.30 p.m., how can the Taoiseach guarantee the decisions made by the Cabinet will actually follow through, because there are innumerable examples in this programme, and others, where money allocated by the Government to various sectors, whether mental health, suicide prevention or whatever, have never actually been implemented?
Deputy Kenny should be aware we are dealing with unestablished civil servants, contract staff and advisers in the Department of the Taoiseach.
The questions are also about consultants, which I asked about, and——
I must hear the other questions, as regards consultants, yes.
——the Ceann Comhairle always had a big thing about consultants and knows I should ask these questions. He often encouraged me to ask questions about that in a previous existence.
I assure the Deputy I do not encourage him.
Will a minimum number of consultants be employed by Government from here on, if they have to be employed at all?
As regards the annual report, referred to by the Deputy, obviously it is in the context of the National Development Plan 2007-13. The overall spend contemplated for the national development plan was, in the main, delivered upon and expended upon those items, broadly speaking, as planned. Due to the multi-annual nature of allocations, timing issues come into play as regards some headings. Some contracts are sent out sooner than would have been anticipated, while others will take longer. This reflects the normal changes in the matrix one might expect for that level of expenditure. In fairness, it indicates the fact that the national development plan's efforts to integrate across its broad strategic headings, applying investment as planned, actually took place in 2006, as reported in 2007. The big challenge, going into 2008-09, is the extent to which we can adapt circumstances to continue to meet the strategic priorities and to prioritise. Also, we must ensure our public finances are put on a sustainable basis. What the Cabinet did today is the first phase in that effort to ensure that, in respect of the spending we anticipated for this year, our spending limits will be adhered to, given that our tax returns will be down. It is important to do that based on the knowledge we have and to prepare for the Estimates round and the budgetary position for 2009, outlining the challenging position we will face to get through 2009. There is a process here of engagement and decisions being taken by Government to take account of the changed environment in which we now find ourselves economically. The Government is being genuine in its efforts to come to the House as soon as possible thereafter and to have a full debate on the issues so that the full House can give its views.
The Government is facing the inevitable.
Fair enough if that is the Deputy's view, but the Exchequer returns officially came out last week, we discuss those in Cabinet this week and then we will come to the House with a detailed outline of how we see the position currently and how we see it progressing from here. That is a fair assessment of the situation from the Government's perspective.
The bottom line appears to be that, whatever the Government decided today with regard to limitations on staffing in the public sector, it does not apply to the Taoiseach's office, Ministers' offices, political advisers and the whole array of political staff employed by the Taoiseach and his Ministers.
Once again, that is not a fair or true assessment of the situation. I outlined the position very clearly. We do not intend to increase the number of advisers to Ministers as they have their complement. In regard to the Taoiseach's office, I outlined the legal position. I also told the Deputy what I am contemplating, that I do not expect that any further adviser will be required in the foreseeable future. I cannot be any more straightforward than that.
4 Deputy Eamon Gilmore asked the Taoiseach if he has plans for changes to the Cabinet sub-committees operating under the auspices of his Department [14627/08]
5 Deputy Enda Kenny asked the Taoiseach when the cross-departmental team on infrastructure and public private partnerships last met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17134/08]
6 D’fhiafraigh Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin den Taoiseach cé na Coistí Comh-Aireachta a bhfuil sé mar bhall díobh. [17215/08]
7 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Taoiseach the Cabinet committees of which he is a member. [18790/08]
8 Deputy Eamon Gilmore asked the Taoiseach when the cross-departmental team on infrastructure and public private partnership last met; when the next meeting is due; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19444/08]
9 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Taoiseach when the cross-departmental team on housing, infrastructure and public private partnership last met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20813/08]
10 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Taoiseach the changes in personnel that have been made in each Cabinet committee. [20931/08]
11 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Taoiseach the number of meetings the Cabinet committee on social inclusion has had in the past three years; and the findings and recommendations of that committee [18816/08]
12 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Taoiseach if the Cabinet committee on social inclusion has met in 2008 and the recommendations it has made. [20937/08]
13 Deputy Liz McManus asked the Taoiseach the number of meetings of the Cabinet sub-committee on climate change that have taken place since the formation of the Government. [21368/08]
14 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Taoiseach the Cabinet committees in place; and the changes in personnel that have been made in each [21306/08]
15 Deputy Liz McManus asked the Taoiseach the number of meetings of the Cabinet sub-committee on climate change that have taken place since the formation of the Government; the number he has attended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28019/08]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 4 to 15, inclusive, together.
Although the titles of the Cabinet committees dealing with social inclusion issues have changed slightly, there have been 16 meetings of the Cabinet committee responsible for this area in the past three years, most recently in February 2008.
To date, the Cabinet committee on climate change and energy security has met on two occasions since the Government was formed and I attended both meetings. The cross-departmental team on housing, infrastructure and PPPs last met on 1 July 2008 and the date of its next meeting is not yet confirmed. The role of the cross-departmental team is to assist in progressing and resolving issues related to infrastructure planning and delivery, ensuring that they are adequately prepared for consideration by the Cabinet committee on housing, infrastructure and PPPs and, where necessary, by the Government.
Questions about the business conducted at Cabinet committee or cross-departmental team meetings have never been allowed in the House on the grounds that they are internal to Government. Questions about the topics of housing, infrastructure, PPPs and so on should be directed to the responsible Minister.
I want to ask the Taoiseach specifically about the Cabinet sub-committee on infrastructure. Has the Government decided to drop or defer the metro north project and, if so, will the Cabinet sub-committee on infrastructure deal with that Government decision?
No such decision has been made by Government.
Will the Taoiseach take back his statement of 10 April that he was not concerned about the downturn in the construction sector? Has the cross-departmental team on housing met and reviewed the position whereby the Government was very ill-prepared for the sudden downturn in the construction industry with devastating consequences for 100,000 young couples who now face negative equity and so on? Furthermore, has the cross-departmental team on housing considered the proposals put forward by Deputy Hogan and the Fine Gael Party to free up equity to enable couples to purchase houses now that they are at a deflated price and thereby kick-start some elements of the construction industry again? Has the departmental team considered this area of activity and how best it might be given some stimulus?
I am not aware that the cross-departmental team has considered Deputy Hogan's proposals on these matters. Regarding the questions on the construction industry, I do not know what quote the Deputy referred to on 10 April, but the point I would make in that context is that it was clear the construction industry could not continue to constitute 12% of total output every year. We have had a correction that had to take place and is taking place. Unfortunately, the credit squeeze is undermining confidence and that is affecting the output one would have hoped for this year. Some of that is offset by the increased public capital programme the Government has conducted this year and last year. We will continue to see how we can assist in that matter with the hope that the construction industry and confidence in the residential housing market will return as soon as possible to more sustainable output levels, which is estimated at between 55,000 and 60,000 per year.
Regarding the Cabinet sub-committee on climate change and energy security, which the Taoiseach chairs, would he consider appointing one of his Ministers of State to follow up on the various targets being set for this country and ensure that there is greater co-ordination between Departments? There are the Kyoto targets we have to achieve before 2012, the national climate change strategy set by the Government of 3% reduction per annum and we are now facing other cuts coming down the line from the EU of at least 20%.
All this will involve major co-operation between various Departments, including the Departments of Transport, Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. If we do not achieve these targets, it will cost the State a considerable sum of money. I ask the Taoiseach to put somebody in charge of co-ordinating all the various activities of different Departments to ensure we reach these targets. As Chairman of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Climate Change and Energy Security, of which Deputy McManus is a member, we are at sea. Nobody seems to know what targets are being achieved. I urge the Taoiseach to consider strongly appointing one of his 20 Ministers of State to look into this matter and work from his Department.
The Cabinet sub-committee provides the co-ordinating mechanism for all the Departments that have an interest or contribution to make in this area to meet and try to bring together a coherent policy position. As Deputy Barrett said, this is a complex and challenging area in which the Government is very closely involved with the Commission in view of the recent documentation and objectives it outlined in recent months. That is continuing and we are looking at options within and between Departments to continue that work and see how Ireland can try to meet very significant challenges, as Deputy Barrett said.
The emissions trading scheme is part of the Kyoto arrangements and the need to see how that can contribute is a very legitimate part of any country's efforts to meet the obligations and requirements imposed on it. In the two or three meetings the sub-committee has had since I became Taoiseach there has been a very significant drive regarding working across Departments to meet the requirements we are discussing at European Commission level. We must try to accommodate what is being asked of us and marry it with continuing economic growth and progress. These are big issues and I have taken specific advice in my Department on it.
I thank the Taoiseach for telling the House the metro north project is going ahead as planned. That is what I understood from his answer and if he wants to correct that, I am happy to hear what he has to say. Will the Cabinet sub-committee on infrastructure be asked to consider any other changes to the infrastructure programme arising from the decisions made at today's Cabinet meeting?
Has the cross-departmental committee on housing infrastructure and public private partnerships discussed the disastrous collapse of the public private partnership for the refurbishment of local authority flat complexes in Dublin city in particular? Will the Government now fund the local authority to allow it to complete those projects?
Dublin City Council has made some decisions in recent days on that matter, which are to be welcomed. Obviously we will do all we can to facilitate those projects proceeding as quickly as possible, despite the setbacks that have occurred.
In response to Deputy Gilmore, the Cabinet sub-committee on infrastructure will continue to meet and a meeting is fixed for later this week. It is continuing to review the annual report of the NDP, published recently, which confirms that a lot of the work as envisaged is taking place. A lot of major work is being conducted. On the previous project about which the Deputy asked, I answered his question. He suggested that a decision had been made or rather he seemed to suggest that he had knowledge of a decision made to cancel metro north and I clarified that that was not a correct perception.
To return to the Taoiseach's statement of 10 April last, he said that he was not worried about the downturn in the construction sector. Then he said a correction was taking place. That correction has had a devastating impact on the entire country and the loss of confidence is now palpable on the streets.
Does the Taoiseach chair the cross-departmental committee on infrastructure, as his predecessor did, and does he sit in on the meetings of the cross-departmental committee on housing? Given that the Taoiseach was in the Department of Finance, he would have known that an economy based on the building of 80,000 to 90,000 housing units was not sustainable. We now have a situation where over 100,000 houses are empty, while the need, particularly among young people, to acquire a home or have access to acquiring same is of critical importance. In that context, has the committee on housing examined the options to expedite a transfer of suitable housing to enable people within a certain range to acquire a home? It must examine the options available because this is a major issue in all parts of the country.
I am a member of the Joint Committee on Climate Change and Energy Security and usually there is not one line Minister with which the committee deals. It is quite clear that when it comes to a global agreement, following on Bali, it will be Heads of Government who will reach such an agreement. The Taoiseach is chairman of the Cabinet sub-committee on climate change. If, as I wish, the joint committee invited the Taoiseach to come before it to discuss the issue of climate change, would he be willing to accept that invitation? It seems that unless we have leadership from the top on this defining issue of our generation, as it has been described by all and sundry, we will not reach the targets that are being set.
In response to Deputy McManus, these are matters for the Oireachtas and for me to consider should such an invitation come. I have indicated the seriousness of the Government's intent by reason of the fact that the Cabinet sub-committee on climate change and energy security has met on a number of occasions, is engaged on the issue and is trying to devise strategies that will help us to meet our challenging commitments while not damaging the economy. We are intent on finding solutions that are practical and that meet the requirements of the situation. As I said, I have taken a special advisor in that area as an indication of the seriousness of our intent.
Is that a definite maybe?
In response to Deputy Kenny's question, he again paraphrased me incorrectly. I have made the point that in respect of the construction industry, the question of it being able to maintain 12% of output was not sustainable. That correction is taking place. What we and the Cabinet sub-committee on housing, infrastructure and PPPs, which is meeting this week, will continue to do is to see in what way Government can assist the situation and bring back market conditions as quickly as possible that will see output rise again.
