Vol. 736 No. 1
1 Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach the role, if any, to be played by special advisers in advising him on the persons to be appointed as Secretaries General in his Department; and which guidelines, if any, concerning conflicts of interest are being applied to persons involved in the appointment process. [15010/11]
2 Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach the position regarding the filling of Secretary General positions in his Department. [15393/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 and 2 together.
The position is unchanged from that I outlined in the House on 1 June. Expressions of interest were sought and have been received. All suitable officers, regardless of whether they submitted an expression of interest, will be considered before a decision is made by the Government. In accordance with established practice, the filling of these posts is a matter for the Government. The expressions of interest made, and other suitable candidates, are being considered by the Tánaiste and me in respect of a second post of Secretary General in my Department. Therefore, no conflict of interest in respect of any other person arises. I expect a recommendation will be made to the Government for appointment to these posts in the course of the coming weeks. Special advisers have no function in these appointments.
Given that this is the procedure used for appointing the new Secretary General with responsibility for public expenditure and reform, which the Taoiseach will, no doubt, also examine, is he satisfied with the procedures used for filling that role? It is almost three months since the media were briefed that these jobs were being filled as a matter of urgency and that, in themselves, they represented a major reform. The closing date for applications was 18 April. What has happened to delay the appointments?
The Minister for public expenditure and reform, Deputy Brendan Howlin, with approval by the Government, has appointed a Secretary General and is very happy with the outcome of that process. I expect the appointment of the second post of Secretary General in the Department of the Taoiseach will be finalised in a very short period. That Secretary General will report to the Tánaiste in respect of the economic management council and to me on the co-ordination of European matters.
For the Deputy's information, the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald, is in the final process of seeking Government approval for appointment of a Secretary General to her Department. The position of Secretary General to the Government, as first secretary in my Department, will also be filled in due course.
Question No. 3 is in the name of Deputy Gerry Adams.
May I ask a supplementary question?
There is no need for it because the question was answered.
I do not believe it was.
It was, actually.
Very well, at that.
I do not see anything funny about this. The question was answered.
You are right, a Cheann Comhairle.
I am entitled to ask a supplementary question under Standing Orders.
You are not entitled to ask a supplementary question.
Hear, hear.
I do not need any help from the back benches, thanks very much. It is difficult enough to do this job without smart alec comments.
He needs a bit of help, a Cheann Comhairle.
Deputy Martin's question is about——
He is learning badly. He is a slow learner.
Sorry, Deputy, would you please remain silent? It is none of your business.
It is, actually.
The question Deputy Martin asked relates to appointments in the Department of the Taoiseach, not the Department of Finance. The question put to the Taoiseach refers to the appointment of "Secretaries General in his Department"
Questions Nos. 1 and 2 are in my name.
The Taoiseach has answered the question. Does the Deputy have another detailed supplementary question?
I would like to ask a brief supplementary question on the basis of Question No. 2.
Fine.
In light of the delay in filling the position referred to in Question No. 2, will the Taoiseach reconsider his decision not to publicly advertise the position of the second Secretary General in his Department? He praised himself last week for his reform of the appointments system. Therefore, does he not think he might use the reform process in filling this position? The Taoiseach mentioned the position of Secretary General in the Department of Children and Youth Affairs. Will that position be filled by public appointment or public advertisement outside the public service?
That is a separate question.
I do not regard this as an inordinate delay. There has been a pretty hefty programme of legislation and events in recent weeks. The recent period has provided an opportunity to reflect, in the general interest of everybody, on the range of qualities of the people to be appointed. It is clear that the two positions in the Department of the Taoiseach are important. The people to be appointed and approved by the Government will be required to have a thorough working knowledge of the mechanics of how the Government and the public service operate. They will also have to exhibit enthusiasm and exuberance for the jobs in which they have expressed an interest and for which they are being considered. The two positions in question — the Secretaries General in the Department of the Taoiseach — require a measure of experience and understanding of how the system works.
3 Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the recent meeting of the North-South Ministerial Council. [15354/11]
4 Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach if he will ensure that following the North-South Ministerial Council plenary there is full round of sectoral meetings in the months ahead. [15355/11]
5 Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach if any progress has been made towards a formal meeting of the North-South parliamentary forum. [15356/11]
6 Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach if any progress has been made towards formal meetings of the North-South civic consultative forum. [15357/11]
7 Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach his policy towards the North-South civic consultative forum. [16283/11]
8 Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the outcome of the recent North-South Ministerial Council meeting. [16285/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 3 to 8, inclusive, together.
I chaired the 12th meeting of the North-South Ministerial Council in Farmleigh House on Friday, 10 June last. It was the first occasion for this Government to meet collectively with the newly appointed members of the Northern Ireland Executive since the recent Northern Ireland Assembly elections. At the outset, I joined the Northern Ireland First Minister, Mr. Peter Robinson, and Deputy First Minister, Mr. Martin McGuinness, in paying tribute to former Minister for Finance, Mr. Brian Lenihan, who had sadly passed away that morning.
During the course of the meeting, I highlighted the commitment of this Government, and my commitment, to North-South co-operation and all-island economic co-operation. I encouraged Ministers to exchange contact details with their Northern counterparts and to keep in regular contact on matters pertinent to North-South co-operation. We had a broad-ranging economic discussion with each Administration outlining the main challenges being faced. My Ministers and I outlined the measures the Government is taking to tackle the debt problem and promote jobs and skills to tackle unemployment. We discussed the importance of innovation, research and development to economic recovery on this island. Given the budgetary constraints within which we operate, we stressed that it makes good practical sense to continue to explore areas where efficiencies and economies can be achieved by working together North and South.
I welcomed the recent confirmation by the Minister, Mr. Poots that the satellite radiotherapy facility at Altnagelvin Hospital is to proceed as planned. I confirmed the Government's strong support for the facility, which will take one third of its patients from County Donegal. Altnagelvin is an excellent example of the potential to achieve economies of scale by investing together North and South. We also discussed progress made on the A5 north-west gateway to Aughnacloy and A8 Belfast to Larne roads projects. It was agreed that the Irish Government will pay the next round of funding of €11 million towards the roads project. We reiterated the Government's commitment to these projects, which are essential for the development of the entire island. It was also proposed that a technical working group be established to examine how the projects can be delivered to the required standard at a reduced cost.
On the issue of the St. Andrews Agreement review group, we agreed to forward the recommendations prepared by experts and advisers to the review group for consideration by Ministers in the new Executive and Irish Government. This element of the review under Terms of Reference 1 will be finalised at the November plenary when we will also discuss Terms of Reference 2 and 3 of the St. Andrews review.
On the establishment of the North-South parliamentary forum, we noted the successful conference that had taken place in October of last year and the intention of the Ceann Comhairle and the Speaker of the Assembly to hold a joint meeting of the working groups in Dublin on 23 June.
On the establishment of the North-South consultative forum, we agreed to finalise deliberations on this issue at our next plenary which will take place in November of this year. In addition, there was a full discussion of progress across a range of areas of North-South co-operation including good progress on road safety; co-operation on innovation, energy, tourism, higher education, the environment and trade and business; and the work of North-South bodies, particularly as it relates to fostering economic recovery across the island. We also approved a schedule of future North-South Ministerial Council sectoral meetings which will take place before the end of this year.
I met again with the Northern Ireland First Minister and Deputy First Minister along with Ministers from the Executive and the political leaders from across these islands at the 16th summit meeting of the British-Irish Council in London yesterday.
There is quite a number of questions grouped. I will take a supplementary from Deputy Adams on the council and then one from Deputy Martin, and then I will go back to Deputy Adams.
I tabled two questions.
Deputy Adams has five or six.
Four.
I want to be fair to everybody.
Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Tá mé buíoch don Taoiseach faoi an bhfreagra an-soiléir sin agus tá mé sásta leis an eolas a bhí ann. That is a clear answer to the question and full of information. Hopefully, this is a new start in our relationship.
Always.
Go raibh maith agat.
I welcome the holding of that North-South Ministerial Council and also the reiteration from the North about Altnagelvin and from the Government about the carriageway — the N2-A5 major road scheme. Of course, it is what happens in between those more formal meetings that is important in terms of building relationships.
The Taoiseach might not be able to comment on this but if he could it would be helpful. I note there was an altercation in the Short Strand area of east Belfast overnight and I am advised — I myself did not hear this — that the PSNI has stated it believes that was a UVF orchestrated incident. I am wondering has the Taoiseach any eolas or scéal on that. Second, are there communications as part of the almost informal back and forth between Ministers here and in the Six Counties if something like that arises?
I appreciate the work that is being done at that forum and I thank the Taoiseach for the clarity of his answer.
The tone of the meeting was very good. Because it was the first time for members of the Government to meet members of the Executive, there was genuinely a very good interaction. I certainly encourage members to exchange contact numbers so they could have informal meetings and make informal arrangements which, as Deputy Adams will be aware, are beneficial between formal meetings. I expect that at the sub-sectoral meetings being arranged, Ministers will continue to make contact on a regular basis with the members of the Executive from the Assembly. I will see to it.
I have a briefing note on the Short Strand incident last night but I do not have it with me. If Deputy Adams asks the question on Leaders' Questions, I will give him the up to date information.
I have a harder question than that to ask the Taoiseach.
I have got a briefing note in respect of that which I will be happy to share with the House if Deputy Adams asks the question on Leaders' Questions.
Go raibh maith agat.
In the context of Question No. 8 seeking a report on the outcome of the recent North-South Ministerial Council meeting, was the issue of parading discussed, either formally or informally, between the Taoiseach and the First Minister? The events of last night have raised tensions significantly in interface areas early in the parading season and there were worrying signs earlier in the week, with tensions in north Belfast around the Tour of the North parade. I suggest the combination of these two events is worrying and reflects the fact that, unfortunately, the peace process has not reached all communities in the North. I am keen to ascertain whether any discussions have been held on what could be termed "hard to reach" communities or areas in which certain groups are receiving support. The PSNI has been clear that the UVF launched the attack and that there was a response from the Nationalist side. This is worrying, as people have been injured. I would appreciate it if the Taoiseach would indicate whether any discussions took place on these issues at the ministerial council meeting, especially given its timing and the season ahead.
There was no discussion at the formal meeting about parades. I expect this issue to arise at the sectoral meetings with Ministers and members of the Executive. My apologies for not bringing the comprehensive note on the incidents which occurred last night. I would be pleased to share it with Deputies Micheál Martin and Gerry Adams in the House during Leaders' Questions if they come back to the issue then.
It would be useful if there was significant engagement between either the respective Ministers or the Government and the Northern Ireland Executive on this issue to develop a multi-policy approach to the wider issues giving rise to the growing support for this activity, which is worrying.
It is an issue of concern. I encourage Ministers to engage fully and comprehensively with their counterparts. Deputy Micheál Martin and I and Deputy Gerry Adams and others have discussed the matter on numerous occasions. Clearly, there is a need for continuous vigilance and involvement in communities that are pressurised and fragile on both sides. We all share this common purpose: having put in place after so many years of difficulty a peace process which has delivered normality to Northern Ireland, we intend to see to it that it continues and that those who seek to disrupt the trend towards peaceful and harmonious living within and among communities are not allowed to disrupt the process. I share the view of every Deputy in the House in that regard.
The Short Strand is a small Nationalist enclave in east Belfast. A great deal of work has been done by people in that community and by their neighbours in loyalist neighbourhoods. This has nothing to do with parading and it is not representative of either of these proud east Belfast communities. I accept the Taoiseach does not have the briefing note, but it is good that a briefing will be provided. Does the Taoiseach agree that the more ongoing and informal contact, good neighbourliness and so on there is, the better for all of us?
Yes, I agree. The Deputy can take it that I encourage Ministers to actively pursue such contact. I intend to travel to Northern Ireland in the near future and engage in activities, projects and so on represented by the different parties and communities. As the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister pointed out recently, having gone through a process of conducting normal elections in Northern Ireland, there is a period ahead in which there will be no election. That will allow for stability and a platform to be built on. We should seize the opportunity and demonstrate that we are serious about co-operation on North-South issues. Where we can achieve efficiencies and demonstrate common purpose we should do so. The Deputy can take it that Ministers will be engaged actively with their counterparts in the Executive.
9 Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he will detail the inter-departmental groups on which he is represented. [15385/11]
The interdepartmental groups on which my Department is represented are listed in the following table, which I propose to circulate in the Official Report.
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Inter-Departmental Groups on which the Taoiseach’s Department is represented |
Inter-Departmental Groups which the Taoiseach’s Department Chairs |
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Marine Coordination Group |
Senior Officials Group on Economic Infrastructure |
|
Interdepartmental Coordinating Committee on the Council of Europe |
Senior Officials Group on Economic Recovery and Jobs |
|
Inter-Departmental Committee on the OECD |
Senior Officials Group on Labour Market Issues |
|
Inter-Departmental Committee on Development |
Senior Officials Group on Climate Change and the Green Economy |
|
Affordable Energy Strategy Steering Group |
High Level Group on Communications |
|
Technical Analysis Steering Group on Climate Change |
Interdepartmental Coordinating Committee on European Affairs |
|
Preferred Policy Measures Group (Climate Change) |
Senior Officials Group on European Affairs |
|
Inter-Agency/Departmental Group on Affordable Energy |
Senior Officials Group on Social Policy |
|
Smarter Travel Interdepartmental Working Group |
National Disability Strategy Stakeholders Monitoring Group |
|
High-level Inter-Departmental Steering Group on the Renewal of the National Sustainable Development Strategy |
Senior Officials Group on Disability |
|
National Sustainable Development Strategy |
National Security Committee |
|
Interdepartmental Group on Science, Technology and Innovation |
|
|
High Level Advisory Group on Corrib |
|
|
Tax Strategy Group |
|
|
Global Irish Network Departmental Co-ordinators |
|
|
Inter Departmental Committee on Coordinating the Presidency |
|
|
Inter Departmental Administrative Planning Group on EU Presidency |
|
|
Inter Departmental EU Coordination Group on Enlargement |
|
|
Principal Officer Steering Group on the Review of the EU Budget |
|
|
Assistant Secretary Steering Group on the Review of the EU Budget |
|
|
North/South Co-ordinators Group |
|
|
North/South High Level Group |
|
|
Interdepartmental Advisory Committee on the Reconciliation and Anti-Sectarianism Funds |
|
|
The Departmental Training Officers Network |
|
|
The Performance Management and Development System (PMDS) Network |
|
|
The Personnel Officers Network |
|
|
The Disability Liaison Officers Network |
|
|
Drugs Advisory Group |
|
|
Oversight Forum on Drugs |
|
|
High Level Group on Travellers |
|
|
National Traveller Monitoring and Advisory Committee |
|
|
Interdepartmental Group on Constitutional Amendment on Children |
|
|
Steering Group on Active Citizenship |
|
|
National Women’s Strategy Monitoring Committee |
|
|
National Youth Justice Strategy Oversight Group |
|
|
RAPID National Monitoring Group |
|
|
Positive Ageing Strategy Cross Departmental Group |
|
|
National Action Plan for Social Inclusion Technical Advisory Group |
|
|
Steering Committee for the 2011 Year of Volunteering |
|
|
Cross Departmental Group on Integration |
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|
Dormant Accounts Committees |
|
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Marine Coordination Group |
In accordance with ruling No. 681 of the previous Ceann Comhairle, it is not in order to ask supplementary questions where the information in the reply to a parliamentary question is in tabular form and has not been circulated. I will seek to facilitate the Deputy at a later stage when he has received the information.
That is a wonderfully transparent way of doing business.
10 Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach his views regarding the application of the Freedom of Information Act within his Department. [15018/11]
11 Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach if he is proposing any changes to the operation of the Freedom of Information Act within his Department. [16279/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 10 and 11 together.
The procedures for dealing with freedom of information requests in my Department follow the guidelines set out in the Department of Finance's Decision-Makers Manual. The functions of general examination, primary decision-making and internal review are carried out by statutory designated officials, as envisaged in the Acts, and I have no role whatsoever in any of these processes. I am satisfied that the processes being followed by my Department in relation to the freedom of information provisions comply with the manual and I do not propose to change them.
The programme for Government undertakes to restore freedom of information provisions to what they were before the 2003 Act. The Minister for public expenditure and reform is following through with the necessary reforms and any changes brought to the attention of the Government by the Minister will be implemented by my Department, with all others.
I am not in any way questioning the capacity of the Department to administer the Freedom of Information Acts; that is not the angle I am pursuing in this question. The Taoiseach referred to the relevant commitment in the programme for Government and the election manifestos of the two Government parties make specific promises in terms of increasing openness and accountability. However, the evidence thus far is that we are going backwards. For some years it has been the practice of key Departments to publish background documents on-line, thereby reducing the need for people to use the freedom of information provisions. Most other Departments published briefing materials from March, but the Department of the Taoiseach did not do so. Will the Taoiseach explain why this was not done? In addition, there has been a reversal of the policy to publish the advisory documents prepared on all tax measures.
In essence, because of the changes within the Department of the Taoiseach which are moving it towards becoming almost a Cabinet secretariat, the Department will be far less accountable. In the past it was more open to ensuring freedom of information in terms of how it was structured, but by converting it into a type of Cabinet secretariat, the Taoiseach is cutting off the scope for many questions Deputies could have asked in the normal course of Dáil business. That may not be the intention or design, but it is the outcome. In other words, information will be covered by the principle of Cabinet confidentiality under the Department's new configuration and the majority of its work will be almost cut off from public or parliamentary oversight. Is the Taoiseach satisfied with this development? How does it dovetail with the commitment in the programme for Government regarding increased accountability, openness and transparency, including greater oversight by Parliament?
I thank the Deputy for his observations. I would be grateful if he conveyed to me examples of where he has found the Department restrictive in publishing information that would normally have been available. As a general principle, the changes we are making in the way business is done in this House are designed to ensure Deputies who ask questions are given thorough and full information. One of the problems with Members asking questions about the Freedom of Information Acts is that they are often not specific enough in the information they wish to acquire.
I take the Deputy's point on the provision of background documentation. Cabinet confidentiality is a constitutional requirement, as is confidentiality in so far as Cabinet committees are concerned. However, in respect of the provision of background information, I will certainly be happy to respond to the Deputy if he can give me some examples of where he has found that information normally provided is in some way being constrained. There is nothing to hide in this instance and it is my intention that every Deputy who asks a question will be given full and appropriate information as part of the normal course of business in the House.
The Taoiseach stated that people needed to know what the Government is doing and promised to restore the Freedom of Information Act to what it was before Fianna Fáil undermined it agus nuair a bhí Fianna Fáil in oifig, bhíodh an Taoiseach ag tabhairt amach faoin slí ina raibh siad ag leanúint ar aghaidh.
Bhíodh mé.
I put a question to the Department of Health under the freedom of information legislation and got back the redacted document I have to hand. This is not a way in which to go about business, which in this case pertains to the crisis regarding junior doctors. The Taoiseach also promised to extend the remit to the administrative side of An Garda Síochána. Does the Government intend to review the operation of the Freedom of Information Act or is a review planned?
I bring the Taoiseach's attention back to the document I have to hand, especially because he has just stated that Deputies should be able to get information. This document I have to hand refers to how the italicised and bolded material should not be released and is exempt under sections 20(1) and 21(1)(c) of the Freedom of Information Act and then repeats that.
As for the Freedom of Information Act in general, the programme for Government states the Government intends to restore it to what it was before 2003 when changes were made to it. While sitting across the floor in the seat now occupied by Deputy Martin, I often asked questions about how, even when cases were referred to the appeals process, the charge on them always applied, even when the appeal was allowed. This should be changed and if someone takes the opportunity or time to go through the process of appealing a freedom of information request that was turned down and if the Ombudsman and Information Commissioner states it should be allowed, the charge for so doing should be dropped. However, this is being pursued by the Minister with responsibility for public expenditure and reform. As for dealing with the administrative side of An Garda Síochána, that is the subject of discussions between the aforementioned Minister and the Minister for Justice and Equality.
The Deputy should be aware the troika is watching all the time and the Government genuinely has an extremely strict guideline for introducing legislation with far-reaching effects that are timelined. This has put enormous pressure on the resources of the Office of the Attorney General to comply with those strict conditions, which the Government intends to meet. From that perspective, the pressure to bring through all legislative items in parallel simply does not stand up. One must prioritise and, as I am sure the Deputy will appreciate, some complex legislation simply must be met in respect of the timeline. However, the Minister is pursuing those matters concerning a review of the Freedom of Information Act and the changes the Government intends to introduce, as well as regarding the administrative side of An Garda Síochána together with the Minister for Justice and Equality.
If I understood the Taoiseach properly, does this mean that if a Teachta Dála like me, a humble servant of the people, stands up in this Chamber and asks a question, the freedom of information request can be redacted because the troika is watching?
No, not at all. My point is the proposal in the programme for Government to restore the Freedom of Information Act to what it was before 2003 cannot be dealt with as expeditiously as I would wish, simply because of the pressure arising from the requirement to introduce other legislative items that are timelined. In other words, they must be introduced by a certain date to comply with the conditions that have been signed off in respect of the EU-IMF bailout deal. It has nothing to do with freedom of information. The Government has a particular problem in that quite a number of legislative items must be processed and drafted. The heads of those Bills must be approved, they must come before the Government to be approved and then come through both Houses to be passed within certain timelines. Obviously, the month of August is a time when those who are involved in drafting legislation take their holidays. While the Dáil will come back earlier than previously, the Government must produce, process and have passed quite a number of Bills that are required if it is to meet the conditions that have been signed off in respect of the troika. This is the only reference I wish to make to that.
Does that mean the troika deals with the Order of Business?
Could I point out that general information——
No, it deals with neither the Order of Business nor with freedom of information.
General information relating to freedom of information is a matter for the Department of Finance and questions should be put to that Department.
My question is related to the application of the Act to the Taoiseach's Department. My essential point is that in the past questions and requests on economic and social issues were answered by the Taoiseach in a fully open way. By converting much of his Department into a Cabinet secretariat, particularly with regard to economic and social issues, whether by design or otherwise, the impact will be to cut off much of its work from parliamentary and public oversight. We need to work out how we can ensure parliamentary oversight is not undermined by the new arrangements and structures within the Department, particularly with regard to the issue of Cabinet confidentiality and how these issues are dealt with in Cabinet sub-committees. The Taoiseach asked for some examples and details of how the Department is restrictive. I refer to the jobs initiative as being a classic illustration of the point I am making. Despite repeated requests, no background material has been provided for me.
On a point of clarification, I am not turning the Department of the Taoiseach into a Cabinet secretariat. It will operate as a Cabinet secretariat, but it retains its functions and constitutional position. However, it is important as a driver for implementing Government policy by co-ordination through the Cabinet sub-committee system and with all Ministers, whom I meet on a regular basis.
The jobs initiative was focused on by the Government without background material because providing jobs at a time when there is an unemployment rate of more than 14% has to be a priority for any Government. It is not a case of having a certain number of boxes filled with background material on jobs initiatives. Any politician, any public representative, can provide ideas which are backed up by information from the relevant sectors on how jobs might be created. In order to pay for the creation of these jobs, the Deputy will be aware that the Government imposed a four year levy on the pensions industry which will kick in from 1 July. I hope the thousands of jobs involved in upskilling and retraining and the schools and roads maintenance programmes, as well as those generated in the tourism and hospitality sectors will bring about a restoration of confidence in the short term.
12 Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Taoiseach if he will report on which Cabinet sub-committees have met since they were established; and the number of meetings in each case. [15350/11]
13 Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach the number of meetings that have been held of each of the Cabinet sub-committees since their establishment. [16280/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 12 and 13 together.
The following Cabinet sub-committees have met since they were established: the Cabinet sub-committee on Irish and the Gaeltacht has met on two occasions, on 14 April and 9 May; the Cabinet sub-committee on social policy met once on 9 June; the Cabinet sub-committee on economic recovery and jobs had its first meeting on 26 May; the first meeting of the Cabinet sub-committee on economic infrastructure took place on 2 June. The Government economic management council has met 20 times to date, most recently on 17 June.
What are the roles and functions of the sub-committees as they have operated since they were set up by Taoiseach? With regard to economic recovery and job creation, will the Taoiseach inform the House if he has a new strategy to try to address the critical problem of mass unemployment which clearly will hardly be touched by the jobs initiative which was scaled down from a major jobs budget?
The function of Cabinet sub-committees is to focus on issues and matters of importance to particular sectors. The sectors covered by the Cabinet sub-committees are relevant to everyday life in order that the committees will have an opportunity to focus and concentrate on particular areas of importance and make decisions on them to be referred back to the Cabinet for final approval. Of course, the position on unemployment is completely unacceptable and the problem will not be dealt with by a specific jobs initiative on its own. It has to be dealt with by cutting Government costs, becoming more competitive, allowing for the opportunity for businesses to flourish, removing obstacles to business and employment potential, continuing to send out a message internationally that Ireland's reputation should be revised upwards and that there is an opportunity for a continued foreign direct investment and demonstrating that we have a young and flexible workforce capable of meeting whatever challenge of change is coming down the line.
This is how major unemployment will be dealt with. Central to that until now has been a lack of confidence in our indigenous economy and a lack of credit available for small businesses to expand and change action. That is why the Government decision on dealing with six dysfunctional banks and deleveraging the two pillar banks, Bank of Ireland and AIB, will result in approximately €10 billion in credit being available each year for the next three years.
Through the economic management council I will require that banks demonstrate what new lending and credit they have available for business in order that people can be gainfully employed and employers can get on with their business of doing what they do best, which is exporting, manufacturing and employing people.
On the Cabinet sub-committee on health, the Taoiseach first alluded to it when I raised the issue of the crisis which will arise around 11 July through the shortage of junior doctors. I did not think he or the Minister for Health dealt with the question well.
The Deputy is straying from the question.
The Minister for Health said the crisis will be fixed. He acknowledged that it is a deep crisis.
That is not the question.
He says it will be fixed in so far as it can be. Is it the business of the sub-committee on health to deal with that issue? How often has it met?
We cannot discuss matters at the committees. The Deputy asked a factual question. We cannot stray into policy otherwise we would be here all day.
Following the discussions that we had at the Cabinet committee on social policy, as health is of such importance to the general well-being of our nation I considered it sufficiently important to form a specific Cabinet committee dealing with health. It has not yet been formalised but will be by next week and Ministers involved in health will obviously serve on it. It will focus on the myriad issues in the area of health that need attention, as distinct from the Cabinet dealing on an extensive basis with matters related to health.
The Minister for Health has pointed out what has been going on in regard to non-consultant hospital doctors and the difficulties we have had as a country because of the registration facility that exists here. When we moved away from temporary registration we lost the opportunity to bring in many junior doctors or non-consultant hospital doctors to the extent that we should have. The Government considered the issue today and changes will be introduced.
The Ceann Comhairle said my question referred to a policy matter. I want to know the remit of the new committee on health. Is that in order?
No, it is not. The Deputy's question referred to the number of meetings that have been held of each of the Cabinet sub-committees since their establishment. Whether another committee has been formed is a separate question.
There are now nine Cabinet sub-committees, four of which deal with economic issues, from the economic management council to economic infrastructure and so on. It is extraordinary that the Taoiseach has not set a target for job creation and a reduction in the number of unemployed if, as he has said, he is putting such emphasis on economic issues in Cabinet sub-committees.
The Deputy is also straying from the question he asked. He asked a factual question but is straying into policy matters. I regret I cannot allow that question. I call Deputy Boyd Barrett.
I am trying to get clarification about the national economic advisory council.
That is a separate question altogether.
I am trying to establish if it is a Cabinet sub-committee.
The Deputy did not ask the question.
My question is about sub-committees. Is it a sub-committee?
That is another question. I call Deputy Martin.
I just want to know if it is a sub-committee.
It is not because the Taoiseach has not read it out.
It is a question about sub-committees.
No. If the Deputy listened to the answer the Taoiseach gave, he did not give that information. Therefore the Deputy's question is not in order. I call Deputy Martin to proceed.
How many times has the Cabinet sub-committee on climate change met?
It has not met yet.
14 Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the costs to his Department for the visits to Ireland by Queen Elizabeth II and the President of the USA. [15351/11]
15 Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the total costs to the State of the visits of Queen Elizabeth II of England and the President of the USA. [15352/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 14 and 15 together.
I understand that separate questions have been addressed by the Deputy to relevant Ministers regarding the costs incurred by their Departments in regard to these visits. With regard to my own Department, the final total costs of the recent visits by Queen Elizabeth II and President Barack Obama are not yet finalised. The projected cost of the visit by Queen Elizabeth is approximately €11,000 in respect of my Department. The bulk of this expenditure relates to the catering and transport arrangements for the wreath-laying ceremony in the War Memorial Gardens, Islandbridge. In excess of 570 guests attended this ceremony. The projected cost of the visit of President Obama is approximately €600,000. The main area of expenditure was the organisation of the large-scale public event in College Green. I anticipate that the US Government will make some contribution towards the cost of that event, but the precise amount has yet to be finalised. These 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 in enhancing Ireland's international reputation and profile at a critical juncture.
The Taoiseach forgot to answer Question No. 15.
No. I thought he answered it. Did the Taoiseach forget to answer Question No. 15?
No. I said I would take both questions together. The first question is about the cost to my Department and I have outlined that for the Deputy. The second question concerned the total cost to the State of the visits. I do not have that information because it has not yet been finalised from each of the individual Departments involved.
In fairness, four weeks after the events, I think the Taoiseach should have a good estimate to report to Dáil Éireann. The costs for his own Department are relatively small compared with what the overall national cost will be. I want to hear the Taoiseach's current estimate of the overall national cost. I am sure he has inquired about that and has been told. With regard to the US Government's subvention, I think the Taoiseach should ask it to pay for the whole lot considering that it cost us perhaps €20 billion in vetoing the burning of bondholders in bad banks.
The Deputy was doing grand up to now, but he is straying away.
We might be talking about tens of millions of euro, so I hope the Taoiseach will give Members an estimate. Parents and children throughout the country are getting word that their special needs assistants in schools are being disgracefully cut. We had parents at the gates of Leinster House today in great distress——
That is a totally different question.
——because their children are losing special needs assistants.
The Deputy is totally out of order.
How does the Taoiseach justify this huge cost of the recent State visits while making those disgraceful cuts at the same time?
It is four weeks after the event. I am quite sure that in Deputy Higgins's own election, it took more than four weeks to finalise how he spent the €41,000 allowance he received as an Independent.
You cannot spend that allowance on the election.
I must correct the Taoiseach again because he has made a false allegation or statement. I am not an Independent Deputy. I am a member of the Socialist Party and the United Left Alliance.
Gabh mo leithscéal. My apologies.
The Deputy will not get any answer now because his time is up.
In the same way as the Taoiseach must account for his party leader's account, so do I. It must be audited and then goes to the Department of Finance.
Thank you, Deputy. That is very good news for us all.
I apologise. The Deputy is the leader of the esteemed Socialist Party. I stand corrected.
I expect the final cost of both State visits will be somewhat in excess of €20 million. The estimated generated separate print and media broadcast pieces were more than 38,000. The estimated cost of that is about €300 million, not to mention the impact in terms of Ireland's status and reputation and the global coverage that both visits received during that week.
Hear, hear.
