Richard Boyd Barrett
Question:1 Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach the estimated costs to his Department of the upcoming visits of Queen Elizabeth II and President Barack Obama; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7560/11]
Ceisteanna — Questions
State Visits
My Department will meet certain of the costs associated with these visits. However, as detailed arrangements for the visits have not been finalised it is not possible at this point to give an accurate estimate of the amount involved. The costs must be seen in the context of the historic nature of the visits and the opportunities they present, not only for trade, investment and tourism but also as regards enhancing Ireland's international reputation and profile at a critical juncture.
That is not really an answer. Reports have been circulating in the media about the Garda and a bill for €25 million for security for the visits. Nobody knows the figure — certainly I do not — but perhaps the Taoiseach knows whether that figure is part of such a cost or is the total considerably greater? Who will pay for it? Is it to come from the Taoiseach's Department?
The public are entitled to know what the cost of such visits will be, given they are being slaughtered with cuts, left, right and centre. If the figure of €25 million, for example, is even close to accurate, let us think how many hospital beds could reopen and how many public amenities——
Thank you, Deputy.
——or public services that were cut could be restored. Is it not merely rubbing the noses of the Irish public, who have been slaughtered with cuts, to invite one of the richest women in the world to this country for a jamboree or to spend millions on bringing over the American President when that President is involved in a war in Afghanistan, is arming and financing dictatorships in the Middle East, and so on? Is that an appropriate use of public money in these straitened times?
The Deputy is entitled to make smart remarks if he so wishes. He should regard this as an investment. Two global figures are coming to visit this country. Regarding the Queen of England, it is the first time in 100 years that a reigning monarch has come here and this is the culmination of a great deal of work by a great number of people who brought about a peace situation. The Queen responded to the invitation from our Uachtarán to visit the country. The same applies in the case of the visit of the American President. The Deputy is aware of the extent of the investment by American business in Ireland and the fact that more than 100,000 people are thus employed, many more indirectly.
The Deputy's comment about spending the money allocated for the double visit does not appreciate the scale of the potential which exists for tourism, business, the development of our economy and the presentation in a global sense of our country and its people. This is very short-sighted on the part of a Deputy from a constituency where the last monarch landed on a visit to Ireland. The Deputy should look on this as an investment for the future. Detail of all of the costs, to the last cent in so far as public moneys are concerned, will be made available to the Deputy after the visit.
We know we recently allocated €3 billion to Anglo Irish Bank and INBS and will have to pay that sum for each of the coming ten years, based on a promissory note. I cannot tell the Deputy the exact cost of the double visit but I shall have the figure when the visits are over. It is an investment for the future and a brilliant opportunity to present our country in a global sense with two internationally recognised figures who will visit, along with many others who will be associated. I expect the vast majority of Irish people will welcome warmly both visitors to our shores. The Deputy should have the decency to do the same.
The Deputy may ask a short supplementary.
The Taoiseach may be aware the previous visit to Dún Laoghaire was accompanied by a protest organised by none other than James Connolly. It was a justified protest because the monarch represented and symbolised vast inherited wealth and the subjugation of poor people in this country. To bring it up to date, is it not incredible for the Taoiseach to say we will only know the cost of these visits afterwards, when people are being slaughtered with cuts, left, right and centre, with the loss of vital services? The vulnerable in our society——
The Deputy already made this point.
Does the Taoiseach not have a responsibility to tell the public, before these visits, how much they will cost so that we can debate as a society whether that is the best way to spend that money rather than putting it into the services people need and into job creation programmes——
Thank you, Deputy.
——rather than for a jamboree for one of the wealthiest women in the world and one of the world's most powerful men?
The Deputy will be aware that in a previous existence the Ceann Comhairle made massive strides in dealing with sea-landing facilities in their mutual constituency and these will stand the test of time.
Our harbour has not been sold.
It is not possible to give an up-to-the-cent figure for the costs associated with both visits.
A ballpark figure.
All of these will be made available in due course but the Deputy should understand at least that other countries would give a lot for the opportunity to have two global figures visit their country in the space of a short time. I see this as an investment in business, for tourism, the development of the economy and the projection of Ireland as a country that has grown up, that faces the future, has dealt with adversity in the past and will do so again in the future. We will be a better people. Queen Elizabeth and President Obama are warmly welcome to our shores.
Does the Taoiseach agree that, notwithstanding the importance of costs, the need to have value for money to underpin everything we do in public life, investment in tourism and other secondary benefits that may flow from such visits, the fundamental rationale for the visit of Heads of State — in this instance the Heads of State of Great Britain and the United States of America — is the normalisation of relationships that should exist between kindred countries, which have long historic links of family, kinship, investment, trade and so forth? It is the normal thing to do. Does the Taoiseach agree that the importance of the visit of the Queen of England is that it reflects the transformation in the set of relationships between the people of this island and the people of Great Britain? This is the ultimate motivating factor in welcoming the Queen of England at this juncture in our history when we have collectively travelled a significant journey towards peace and reconciliation. Above everything else, this is the fundamental reason this visit should be welcomed.
In the context of the visit of President Obama, we should consider the historic and very important links between our two countries, the powerful Irish diaspora in the United States and its sense of kinship with the island of Ireland throughout the generations. The visit of President Obama reflects the personification and manifestation of this strong and vibrant relationship which is still thriving and which is of value to the future of this country and to our diaspora in Great Britain and the United States.
Beidh fáilte roimh cuairt an Uachtaráin Obama go hÉirinn. Ní aontaíonn Sinn Féin le go leor polasaithe atá ag teacht ón Teach Bán. Nuair a bhí seans agam, dúirt mé a leithéid leis na hUachtaráin Clinton, Bush agus Obama. Caithfimid bheith an-soiléir gur thacaigh Rialtas Mheiriceá leis an bpróiseas síochána in Éirinn. Síleann poblachtánaigh agus saoránaigh eile go bhfuil cuairt Bhanríon Shasana mícheart ag an am seo.
Ceist, más é do thoil é.
Maith go leor. Cuirfidh mé mo cheist i mBéarla. I find it rather patronising that the Taoiseach refers to this as a sign that Ireland has grown up as if, in some way, we were adolescent, immature or juvenile. A better mark of what is wrong with a section of Ireland is in the Nyberg report. However, I come directly to the issue. Does the Taoiseach agree that while some people may wish to welcome the Queen of England, others have the right to dissent, provided they do so peacefully and in a democratic way? There is an egalitarian tradition on this island——
Deputy, could we have the supplementary question, please?
——that is conscious of the history between the islands. We have yet to make our own history because we are still partitioned. Those of us who wish to point out these things and to celebrate republicanism as opposed to monarchy should have the right to do so.
Will the Taoiseach desist from speaking about US investment in Ireland as if they were here to do us a kindness?
This is Question Time.
It has one of the highest returns on investment anywhere in the world with handsome profits. Is the Taoiseach aware that in the United States it is considered that the reason for President Obama's visit is to support his re-election campaign and how this will impact on the Irish American vote?
The question is about what?
Is it not a little rich that the taxpayer, as well as bailing out European speculators, must now make a contribution to the re-election campaign of a United States President? In view of the fact that the royal family of Britain is one of the wealthiest families in the world and that this country is, figuratively, almost sleeping rough, will the Taoiseach ask the Queen if she might make a contribution towards her own bed and breakfast costs to assist the unfortunate taxpayers and go easier on them?
Before you reply, Taoiseach, Deputy Clare Daly's question No. 14 is about the plans of the visit of President Obama. I wish to allow a supplementary.
I will be brief as there has been some discussion on it already. I find it hard to believe that with a couple of weeks to go, the Taoiseach has no indication whatsoever of what the plans for President Obama's visit may be. I assume the Taoiseach has some idea. Out of respect to the House we deserve some indication of what they may be. Similarly, a question arises with regard to cost. The Taoiseach justifies the visits on the basis that they will contribute to enhancing Ireland's international reputation. Let us get real here. The Taoiseach will need something substantially more than the visit of these two individuals to enhance Ireland's reputation. I find reprehensible the idea of wining and dining them at our expense when so many cutbacks are being foisted on the backs of ordinary people. Many people will object to the fact that our money is being used.
Can we have a question please?
I do not believe the Taoiseach does not have the details of the costs or the plans of the visit and I wish to see them. It is not good enough to say this is an investment; the Taoiseach must quantify it. The 100,000 people working for US multinationals work here because of the profits those companies generate. However, that number is a fraction of the workforce of the country. The investment would be better made in jobs here rather than this visit.
This is Question Time.
That is the question.
I agree with Deputy Micheál Martin in respect of the fundamental reasons for the visits of the Queen and President Obama. It is part of the continuation of the normalisation of relationships between countries. I commend the Deputy on the part he played when he was Minister for Foreign Affairs in dealing with issues in regard to Northern Ireland and on some of the actions he took, all of which were part of leading to that normalisation. I commend An tUachtaráin and her husband on the work they did and continue to do in respect of developments in Northern Ireland to bring about a situation where there is peace and harmony among all the communities. The elections under way in Northern Ireland are evidence of the first full term of office run by the Assembly. I trust that in the discussions we have on a continuing basis with the politicians and elected representatives from Northern Ireland and our counterparts in Britain we will continue to work on the development of the island economy of Ireland and for the benefit of all our people.
Deputy Adams spoke about the Teach Bán and the tacaíocht that the Stáit Aontaithe are giving us in Ireland and we will respect that. As the Deputy is aware, we have made a strong case for the continuation of the investment funds, especially in regard to vulnerable communities in Northern Ireland. However, this is a free country and visitors are welcome here. Deputy Adams is entitled to have his say, as he does. The vast majority of people will welcome the visits of the Queen of England and President Obama.
I note Deputy Higgins's comment to the effect that the reason the President is coming is because of his re-election campaign. I recall that many of the statements the Deputy made in the European Parliament, to where he was dispatched from Dublin West for a period, were not disconnected from his attempts to get back in here. Fair play to him, he is back from Dublin West. Politicians have in their nature a view of the future from which they are not themselves absent, as does the Deputy.
In respect of Deputy Daly's comments, I do not have the actual cost of both visits. Figures have been mentioned for the overall costs and they are extensive, obviously. These are two global personalities.
I do not have all the details of President Obama's visit. He will visit the village of some of his ancestors in Moneygall and it depends on the extent of his schedule here, which has not been finalised, so I cannot say to the Deputy what will happen or where he will visit from the time the wheels of his plane touch down on the tarmac until he leaves. That will be finalised between the American Administration and ourselves, and the House will be told in due course.
When Deputy Higgins speaks about homelessness and problems people face, I understand that. I went to Cricklewood on Friday morning to talk to people who were homeless who are now being looked after by the Irish welfare personnel with some assistance from the local authorities in Brent and from the Government here through the Department of Foreign Affairs. While some of them strayed in former years, they at least had the opportunity to have employment and to raise a family across the water. We should not forget that. Between 750,000 and 1 million people from this country live in Britain and had the chance to do very well in many cases.
The 100,000 people here who work in American firms, who raise their families and get on with their lives, are grateful for that investment. One of the major American firms here is spending €500 million of its own money, without grant assistance, to put itself in a competitive position for future investment. I support that. Part of that is linked to the 12.5% corporation tax rate which has been of immense value for young men and women to get jobs in Ireland. Irrespective of Deputy Higgins's political philosophy, I am sure he supports that.
Despite what has been said this morning, I ask the Taoiseach to continue to promote Ireland as a tourist destination and to assure President Obama and Queen Elizabeth that they will be more than welcome to visit our constituency in Dún Laoghaire. We are spending a lot of money trying to promote our county and if the Taoiseach could invite President Obama or Queen Elizabeth to the constituency, the people there would be delighted to welcome them.
Maybe they should switch the Monte Carlo rally to Dún Laoghaire.
I also ask the Taoiseach to invite President Obama and Queen Elizabeth to the Oireachtas, if that would fit in with their plans, and I congratulate the Taoiseach for the good will. This is an invitation of good will in the season of Easter. It behoves us all not to get bound up with neurosis and costings and the details of the plan. It is often the case that people do not know their plans until they finally arrive. The main thing is that these people get a good, warm welcome. I advise people not to worry too much about the past because every saint has a past and every sinner has a future. We should reflect on that.
Is that a confession?
I wonder will they travel around throwing cake to the peasants.
I thank Deputies Mitchell O'Connor and Mathews for their comments, support and invitations, and Deputy Mathews for his words of wisdom, particularly regarding sinners.
Father Mathews.
I hope we all have a future in that case. These visits are a brilliant opportunity to be availed of by the country and, on behalf of the people, I warmly welcome the visits of the Queen and President Obama.
Inward Investment
Micheál Martin
Question:2 Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach the role to be played by him in seeking to secure and retain inward investment as distinct from the role of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation. [7690/11]
Micheál Martin
Question:3 Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach in view of his previous role in relation to key science and innovation issues, the role he will play in this area in the future. [7781/11]
I propose to answer Questions Nos. 2 and 3 together.
Attracting and retaining inward investment, and promoting research and development and innovation, are both core aspects of the Government's strategy for supporting enterprise and growing employment. As Head of Government, I will support development and implementation of policy in these areas in a variety of ways, including as chair of relevant Cabinet committees, promoting Ireland's interests abroad on international visits and meeting potential investors where appropriate.
However, these and other aspects of enterprise policy are primarily the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation. As such, any questions on these issues, including future parliamentary questions, should be addressed to him. As Taoiseach, it is my privilege to associate the office with this area in general. We are all interested in attracting jobs to this country.
I thank the Taoiseach for that reply, although I am concerned about its tone in the sense that the Taoiseach historically played a vital role, not just a supporting role, in securing inward investment, particularly in terms of major inward investment projects where invariably the Taoiseach would be brought on board at a certain stage to attract such projects and to meet chief executives from the countries where the Government was anxious to secure foreign direct investment.
In recent years the Taoiseach led major trade missions to emerging markets such as China and India. While some of that was commented upon negatively in the media, in essence they were watershed visits in terms of bringing many companies from Ireland to those destinations. We should not underestimate in Asian countries the importance of the Taoiseach visiting and leading trade missions to secure market share for Irish companies and to attract inward investment. The Taoiseach is moving some of the relevant staff from the Department, as we discussed yesterday, to another Department, but I hope he will continue to play that role to attract inward investment.
Did the Taoiseach meet the chief executive officer of Twitter? The British Prime Minister, David Cameron, met the chief executive of Twitter to persuade the company to locate its head office in London. I understand the company is now planning to locate its head office in London and it would be a pity if Dublin was overlooked in the race to secure the European headquarters.
There are other questions on science and technology but the research landscape has been transformed in the past ten years. The Taoiseach's office has played a significant role in supporting science and research and development initiatives. There are worrying reports that basic research is to be downgraded on the innovation agenda. Will the Taoiseach assure the House that he intends to use his position as Head of Government to maintain the central role of basic research to promote Ireland as a destination for research investment?
I assure Deputy Martin that I intend to involve myself centrally, along with other Ministers, on behalf of the Government in promoting what we regard as potential for investment to increase exports and develop jobs. We should be able by 2016 to demonstrate that we are the best small country in the world in which to do business.
When I went to Washington for the St. Patrick's Day celebrations, I spoke to 2,000 business people at a number of functions reiterating the opportunities that exist here for investment. I met individual business personnel but I will follow through on the Deputy's suggestion and also meet chief executives of major businesses here in groups to deal with the issue. The remit of the Tánaiste is now that of Minister for Foreign Affairs and trade promotion. We want to ensure — Deputy Martin worked on this matter when in government — that there is competency in our embassies throughout the world in the context of trade development. That is an important issue.
A decision has not yet been taken in respect of our trade missions abroad. There has been a degree of contact with regard to a trade delegation visiting China. Obviously this will depend on available dates and people's schedules, particularly in so far as the Chinese Administration is concerned. When I served as Minister of State with responsibility for trade, I brought a trade delegation to India. In that context, I am aware that it is not so much the size of such a delegation that matters but rather the range of expertise among and the level of seniority of the personnel from the different companies involved which causes an impact and which generates respect, particularly on the part of administrations in the Far East. I will give consideration to a possible visit to China when the relevant arrangements can be made and when people's schedules are compatible.
I have not met the chief executive of Twitter. I will, however, do so if the opportunity presents itself. As the Deputy is aware, Facebook, Google and similar companies have established operations in Dublin. The existing cluster is, therefore, very strong and we would like to see it develop further.
I welcome the Taoiseach's latter remarks with regard to his intentions. As leader of the Opposition, I will be supportive of trade missions to countries such as China and India. I will not be engaging in any petty criticisms in respect of such missions because Ireland is, in large part, an exporting country. The Taoiseach has an important role to play in the context of leading such trade missions. He also has a role to play in meeting the CEOs of major companies which continue to invest in Ireland and of those companies which have yet to invest here. Is it the Taoiseach's intention to play a leading oversight role in respect of science and research and development policy, particularly as such a policy relates to the attraction of inward investment during the lifetime of the Government?
I will forward more precise figures to the Deputy in respect of what we intend to do. The world is going to change utterly in the next decade, with developments occurring in respect of the Internet, genetics, biotechnology, robotics, nanotechnology, etc. As the Deputy is well aware, Ireland has enormous capability in this regard in the context of the cluster capacity that exists here and regarding the potential that can emanate from the area of research and innovation. I spoke with Prime Minister Cameron about a programme for research and innovation, the potential of the Single Market and the opportunities that exist for us in this regard. The Deputy can take it that I intend to remain centrally involved in the promotion of research and innovation. I would be happy to receive suggestions from Deputies at any time in respect of that matter.
Aontaím leis an Taoiseach ar an ábhar seo agus déanfaimid ár ndícheall chun tacaíocht a thabhairt dó go mbeidh seans ann é a dhéanamh agus tá súil againn go n-éireoidh an t-adh leis san obair seo. An aontaíonn an Taoiseach go gcaithfimid iomaíocht a athrú ar an oileán seo go mbeidh comhoibriú ann idir infheistíocht sa tír ón taobh amuigh agus gnóthaí dúchasacha a chruthú agus a chothú. Is féidir leis an Rialtas cabhrú leis an fhás atá de dhíth trí ghnóthaí dúchasacha agus iad ag fás agus infheistíocht a mhealladh isteach ón dtaobh amuigh. Tá dhá rud ann — infheistíocht ón dtaobh amuigh agus ár ngnóthaí dúchasacha áitiúil.
I wish to correct Deputy Martin, who is the leader of Fianna Fáil and not of the Opposition. The United Left Alliance is the Opposition and he is not our leader. In such circumstances, he should not use that term.
That is a very welcome clarification.
Deputy Higgins should pose a supplementary question.
Does the Taoiseach agree that the hugely hysterical emphasis he, his Government and the media place on the importance of our rate of corporation tax, which is the third lowest in the European Union, in attracting foreign direct investment is unbalanced and unsustainable? Does he agree that, in the first instance, our highly-skilled and well-educated workforce is a major attraction for companies which establish operations here and that another massive incentive for these companies is the enormous profits — much greater than those available elsewhere — they can make in this country?
In the period 2004 to 2008, total business profits in this country, including those made by foreign companies, amounted to €268 billion. Only €27 billion, or 10.3%, was paid in tax on these profits. Is that not really unsustainable, particularly when the poorest and those who are low paid are increasingly being hit for more money and when one may not even speak about increasing the take from big business?
While everyone welcomes inward investment, particularly if it is ethical in nature and is aimed at making a serious contribution to our society, is it not a major mistake to bet the entire economic future of the country on the hope of such investment? A necessary accompaniment to this type of investment is a ratcheting down of taxes on business and wealth. This produces an unsustainable narrowing of the tax base, which lies at the root of our deficit problem. Is it not time to debate the sacred cow of low taxation on wealth?
That is a separate question.
Is it not also time to state that rather than just betting our economic future on inward investment, we must concentrate on developing an indigenous industrial base which is sustainable and which will not be vulnerable to the shocks and ups and downs that occur in the global market? We are aware that the latter is desperately unstable because it is driven by profit and competition rather than the best interests of ordinary people and society.
Aontaím leis an méid a dúirt an Teachta Adams faoi fhorbairt comhlachtaí áitiúil agus gur chóir go mbeadh comhoibriú ann an t-am ar fad.
The reaction in respect our corporation tax rate has not been hysterical at all. Rather, the Deputy has been quite hysterical with regard to some of these matters.
Deputy Higgins is right to be hysterical.
The current corporation tax rate has been in place for some time. I was a member of the Government that introduced corporation tax, which has been a fundamental cornerstone of foreign direct investment. The Deputy is aware that for many years this country was the gateway to Europe as a result of the capacity, flexibility and productivity of its workforce. This was particularly true in the case of American investment. We helped open up the then Common Market, which eventually became the European Union, to such investment. The European Union has work to do in the context of developing the full potential of the Single Market, in which enormous opportunities exist for Ireland.
I do not share Deputy Higgins's view with regard to increasing the rate of corporation tax. Indeed, we will defend our 12.5% rate and I would regard any movement away from that as representing a massive breach of trust. That is not the way I do business.
I wish to make the point to Deputy Barrett——
I am Deputy Boyd Barrett. The Ceann Comhairle is Deputy Barrett.
I apologise to Deputy Boyd Barrett. Last year, the value of food exports was of the order of €8 billion. By 2020, this figure will have risen to over €12 billion and that will have enormous implications. The Deputy stated that we are betting our entire economic future on inward investment. That is not the case. The export sector has been running very well for 20 months in a row and we want to develop that.
I agree with the Deputy's comments on the development of indigenous industry. The Minister for Finance will be coming before the House in early May to announce our jobs initiative, which will deal with the indigenous sector. Tourism is one outstanding area of indigenous development. That flies in the face of what the Deputy was talking about in his earlier question about the visits of two heads of state. These visits will have enormous potential for the development of that indigenous industry. Does the Deputy not realise the number of British people who will want to travel to this country following the visit of their Queen to Ireland? Does he not realise the power of that visit and its impact on the development of one of the indigenous industries about which the Deputy spoke?
Our jobs initiative is focused entirely on that. I hope the Deputy will support it when it is debated in the House and ensure that people in the constituency of Dún Laoghaire have the opportunity to get up in the morning and have the dignity of being able to go to work and contribute to the well-being of our country and society.
Programmes for Government
Micheál Martin
Question:4 Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he has put in place within his Department a specific function for overseeing the implementation of the programme for Government; the persons involved and the publications he will issue through his Department relating to implementation of the programme for Government. [7692/11]
Joe Higgins
Question:5 Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the implementation of the programme for Government. [8292/11]
Micheál Martin
Question:6 Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach the arrangements he has put in place within his Department to oversee the implementation of the programme for Government and the monitoring reports which he intends publishing. [8592/11]
Micheál Martin
Question:7 Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach when an agreed implementation timetable for the individual commitments contained in the programme for Government will be published. [8593/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 4 to 7, inclusive, together.
The programme for Government was approved by the Fine Gael and Labour parties on 6 March 2011 and was adopted by the Government at its first meeting as the framework for its work over coming years. The programme sets out the policies and initiatives to be progressed over the term of the Government to tackle the many and varied challenges facing the country. It is the responsibility of each individual Minister to ensure the commitments in the programme that fall within their particular portfolio are fully implemented. I will be reviewing progress on a regular basis with each Minister.
As I indicated to the House on 22 March 2011, my Department will be supporting the implementation of the programme as a whole and it will do this with a more explicit focus on its role as a Cabinet office. The procedures to reflect the new focus are being developed and will be announced shortly.
Cé hé, nó cé hí, an t-oifigeach sa Roinn atá freagrach, go sonrach, as an gclár Rialtais a chur i bhfeidhm? Cé, go sonrach, a bheidh freagrach as ath-mhachnamh a dhéanamh ar an gclár chun a bheith cinnte go bhfuil an clár ag dul i bhfeidhm agus go bhfuil dul chun cinn le feiceáil?
As part of the monitoring of the implementation of strategic planning, the Government has, clearly, prepared targeted dates for the promises contained in the programme. Will these be made publicly available? We all agree the House must take a more strategic approach to its work. The most effective first step in this would be to know the target dates for the initiatives we will be considering as part of the implementation of the programme for Government.
Agus an Teachta ag caint i nGaeilge, cuireann sé i gcuimhne dom an díospóireacht a bhí eadrainn i gConamara i rith an olltoghcháin.
Is cuimhin liom go maith é.
Is é Ard-Rúnaí na Roinne a bheidh i bhfheighil an phlean a chur i gcrích, go ginearálta. Mé féin, mar cheannaire pholaitiúil ar an Roinn a bheidh á stiúradh. Deputy Martin is aware that we have set out a number of targets. These are all contained in the programme for Government, which will continue over the lifetime of this Government. I intend to have regular interaction with Ministers and Ministers of State about the elements of the programme that are their individual responsibility.
I cannot give a series of days and dates for the implementation of each specific item. We have set targets for every Minister in respect of the programme for the first 100 days. As we achieve those targets, a second set of targets will be prioritised for fulfilment thereafter. It is not a case of being able to say, across the full range of Departments, what is going to happen on a particular week. We have set a series of targets for Ministers for the first 100 days. As we approach that deadline we will prioritise work on what is achievable for the period after that.
Does the Taoiseach intend to have, over the lifetime of the Government, a framework within which there will be detailed target dates for the implementation of specific commitments contained in the programme for Government?
Does the Taoiseach intend to publish reviews of the implementation of the programme for Government? The practice in the past was to have annual or periodic reviews of the monitoring and strategic evaluation of the programme for Government. Does the Taoiseach intend to publish such reviews?
With regard to the constituent parts of the programme, such as the social dimension and the economic, European and political sides, will specific civil servants be given the responsibility to monitor and oversee the implementation across Government of the proposals contained in the programme for Government?
Deputy Martin is aware that Cabinet meetings are about making decisions in respect of elements of the programme for Government and other matters that arise from time to time. We will have a report for the first 100 days. I intend to meet Ministers and Ministers of State regularly about the elements of the programme that are their responsibilities.
It is fair comment to say one should report progress on a regular basis, but people know this anyway. Every Cabinet decision is available to the public. It might not be any harm to have a regular review of the elements of the programme that have been achieved.
A great deal of work is being done in trying to bring about the full implementation of the Croke Park agreement and what it actually means. There is always a short period when a new Government is formed when Ministers and Ministers of State get to know the range and personnel of their Departments and establish a dynamic to achieve objectives. As Deputy Martin knows from long experience, it can be difficult to turn the ship in the direction one wants in a short time. I have set targets for the first 100 days. We will follow those with other targets and we can discuss them here on a regular basis. This is all in the interest of having a better country.
The Taoiseach is very clear with regard to targets for public sector reform, so called, and to the slashing of between 22,000 and 25,000 jobs by 2015. With regard to the Government's jobs programme, which the Taoiseach says will come in May, does he have a benchmark for reducing unemployment from the disastrous level of 440,000? Has he set a benchmark for six months, 12 months or 18 months with regard to how many tens of thousands of jobs will have been created and the level of unemployment after those periods?
With regard to employment and unemployment and with regard to local government reform, which the Taoiseach also promised, was he shocked by this morning's announcement that Mayo County Council will slash 150 jobs in his own county? Is that not an incredibly bad start to any talk of local government reform? The loss of 150 jobs will have a huge consequence for public services for the people of Mayo. Does the Taoiseach denounce that proposal?
As part of this outline, will the Taoiseach put in place a very easy-to-read outline of the number of U-turns and flip-flops in the implementation of the programme for Government? For example, "not a red cent" has become "billions into the banks". The Taoiseach has also conceded that he will pay outgoing bankers.
That is nonsense, as Deputy Adams knows. I made the position very clear in the House and we are following through on it. We have made some serious decisions in order to bring some certainty to the banking sector. I pointed out to the Deputy that credit to lend to business will be available from the two pillar banks. I also pointed out that we will introduce a partial loan guarantee scheme for further credit for business so that people in the Deputy's constituency will be able to go to work, will have a job, a career and opportunities. This is what good politics should be all about. It is not a case of having an easy to read document to which the Deputy refers. It will be very easy to tick off the decisions that have been made by Government in the interests of our people and of the country and we will continue to do this. As I stand here, no Government in the history of this State has faced the range of the economic challenge which this Government faces but we will face it with courage and fairness and deal with it because that is what the people elected us to do.
Deputy Joe Higgins referred to 22,000 to 25,000 jobs being cut. He will be aware of what is known as the Croke Park agreement and he will be aware that the Government intends to bring about a transformation of the delivery of public services making them efficient and effective without compulsory redundancies and allowing for the potential and creativity of many thousands of hard-working public servants who want to help their country. We hope to give them that opportunity.
Reform of local government in terms of the delivery of local services is an important issue. I was shocked to hear the Deputy's comment about 150,000 jobs being lost in local authorities until he changed the number to 250. This is a matter that unions and management of the local authority in question will be discussing very soon. I do not have the details of the numbers of retirements or voluntary redundancies that will apply there. I am confident those discussions will take place very shortly.
It is a case of jobs gone.