Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 9 Nov 2010

Vol. 721 No. 2

Leaders’ Questions (Resumed)

The Taoiseach

Before I come to the Order of Business, Deputy Gilmore also asked me if I could be clear about the date of the four year plan. As I said, I can only give an indication and whether it is the week beginning 15th or 22nd remains to be seen based on discussions we are having and the approval of the plan overall.

Second, it is not the case that the plan is being provided to the European Commission. It will be provided to the Commission when the Government decides upon it, and we will send it at that point. The Deputy has heard my answer.

Deputy Joan Burton

We cannot hear the Taoiseach.

The Taoiseach

First, in regard to the date of the plan, it will be published after the approval of it by Government. The indicative date we were given was around mid-September. We will decide on the week beginning the 15th or 22nd when we finalise our consideration of it.

Deputy Eamon Gilmore

A Cheann Comhairle——

An Ceann Comhairle

No, we are not going back to Leaders' Questions, Deputy.

The Taoiseach

I want to be clear and try to answer the questions the Deputy is asking me. Second, on the question of whether a plan is being provided to the Commission, the plan will only be provided to the Commission once the Government approves it. I will now move on to the Order of Business.

Deputy Eamon Gilmore

The Taoiseach offered information——

An Ceann Comhairle

Deputy, please.

Deputy Eamon Gilmore

——and I believe, in fairness, I should be able to get clarification on it. If the plan is to be published in the week beginning 22nd——

The Taoiseach

During that week.

Deputy Eamon Gilmore

Yes. If it will be published during that week, will it be published in the part of that week which is after the by-election in Donegal? In fairness, a Cheann Comhairle——

Deputy Dermot Ahern

Why? Does Frank McBrearty want to see it?

The Taoiseach

Get Frank to read his own policy paper before he reads my plan.

(Interruptions).

An Ceann Comhairle

Deputy Gilmore will have another opportunity to raise this matter.

Deputy Dermot Ahern

Is it any wonder Deputy Quinn left?

Deputy Eamon Gilmore

The Taoiseach said the plan would not be supplied to the Commission until it was ready. My question is has any draft plan been submitted to the Commission? That is the question.

An Ceann Comhairle

I think that was dealt with.

The Taoiseach

No, there are not draft plans but, as the Deputy will be aware, discussions have been taking place between the Commission and ourselves. There is no draft plan as such provided.

Deputy Joan Burton

We asked the Taoiseach for a template.

The Taoiseach

The Deputy did not even get a template.

An Ceann Comhairle

We must move on.

Deputy Joan Burton

I will get the Deputy a leather bound first copy when it comes out, personally signed and zipped with a lock.

An Ceann Comhairle

Taoiseach, the Order of Business, please.

Deputy Kathleen Lynch

It will be worth money in the future.