Leo Varadkar
Question:1 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Taoiseach the number of times the task force on innovation has met; the Ministers who attended in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44505/09]
View answerInnovation Task Force.
Questions (1, 2, 3, 4)
Eamon Gilmore
Question:2 Deputy Eamon Gilmore asked the Taoiseach if he will make a statement on the progress made to date of the innovation task force. [45392/09]
View answer
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:3 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Taoiseach if he will make a statement on the work of the innovation task force. [1237/10]
View answerLeo Varadkar
Question:161 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Taoiseach the date, time and location of meetings of the innovation task force in 2009 and to date in 2010; the Ministers who attended in each case; when the task force will report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1476/10]
View answerOral answers (15 contributions)
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 3, inclusive, and 161 together.
I appointed the innovation task force on 29 June 2009 to advise the Government on its strategy for positioning Ireland as an international innovation development hub and to assist in making the smart economy a reality. The members of the innovation task force have a wide range of expertise and include individuals with global experience in international companies and entrepreneurs who have recently established and grown successful start-up companies. There is also representation from the higher education sector and senior representatives from a number of Departments and agencies.
The task force has met in plenary session for all day meetings in Government Buildings on four occasions thus far, on 17 July, 25 September, 30 October and 14 December. I addressed the first meeting of the task force and was accompanied by the Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment with responsibility for innovation, Deputy Conor Lenihan. The Minister of State also attended the meetings of 30 October and 14 December. In addition, a full day consultation meeting for task force members was held on 19 October. The task force is due to meet again on 29 January.
The task force has established four working groups focusing on specific aspects of its terms of reference. These working groups, which are chaired by private sector members of the task force, have been meeting regularly and a draft report is currently being finalised to reflect their deliberations.
To assist with its work, the task force issued a public request for submissions and received over 100 responses from interested groups and individuals. These submissions have been reviewed by members of the task force and will feed into its deliberations on the content of its report. A summary document highlighting key themes and proposals from the submissions has been published and is available on the innovation task force's website. The task force is due to meet again on 29 January. I look forward to receiving its report, which I understand will be finalised shortly.
I welcome the Taoiseach back to the House. On 18 December 2008, the Government published Ireland's framework for sustainable economic renewal. That document, although launched with great fanfare, was merely a rehash of several programmes which were already in place with the notable addition of an innovation fund of €500 million. The document refused to make any of the difficult decisions which need to accompany infrastructural development if we are to give rise to compatibility in innovation with our European Union counterparts. Can the Taoiseach indicate the source of the aforementioned €500 million? Was it allocated through various Departments' Votes or was new money put up?
What is the function of the task force and the four subgroups in regard to encouraging and overseeing the work of universities, third level colleges and other organisations which deal with innovation in the context of the European framework? Clearly, the new Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science will have a substantial budget. Does the Taoiseach envisage the innovation task force having a role in overseeing and encouraging organisations and firms which are interested in innovation to become compatible with the European framework and thereby receive funding for appropriate programmes?
The innovation fund is part of our five-year programme. It aims to raise funds from private sector venture capital investors who also bring their expertise to the country. The role of the State will be to provide structures and incentives to best leverage private sector investment. This is why the NTMA, which is an expert in this area, is leading the process. The amount required directly from the Exchequer is likely to be small relative to the overall size of the fund. Investment will only be required from the State as the fund grows over a number of years to an envisaged total of €500 million. Alternative models are currently being tested with potential venture capital investors and other stakeholders, particularly in the United States. Detailed decisions will be possible only following completion of that process.
The objective is to identify and leverage private sector venture capital funds, including funds from the United States, to complement and augment the seed capital and other funds available within Enterprise Ireland, for example, for assisting high-potential start-up companies and other companies which merit or obtain market support on the basis of the product, process development or innovation they are undertaking.
In the past ten years we have trebled the level of investment in research and development to some €2.5 billion, two thirds of which is leveraged in the private sector. We have devised a single income stream for the science, technology and innovation moneys from the Department, which are under the auspices of the Minister of State, Deputy Conor Lenihan. The function of the task force on innovation, which will come forward shortly with its recommendations, is to identify how we can assist high-potential start-ups more successfully so that they can be the future market leaders in the various sectors from which they spring. A more general objective is to promote higher productivity through innovation across all sectors of the economy, but the expertise in this area relates to those start-up proposals and enterprises to which I referred.
Will the Taoiseach confirm how much has been committed or promised from private venture sources in respect of moneys for innovation? The task force on innovation was set up with a six-month remit, which is due to expire at the end of January. If we are to receive a report, it must be produced by the end of the month or else the lifetime of the committee must be extended. Which is the case?
There is no disagreement among Members regarding the possibilities and potential for job creation arising from innovation. First, there has been much discussion of what can be done in the area of energy, including wind, wave power, tidal power, pump storage, natural gas and so on. There is no reason that this State should not be a world leader in some of these niche areas of renewable energy. Will the task force examine that potential?
Second, we have all the ingredients to be a world leader in the area of biotechnology, whether arising from the clusters of medical companies in operation throughout the State or through the availability of resources and research from our universities and other third level institutions, including, for example, the Marine Institute. All these elements provide us with absolute potential in terms of world leadership in the biotechnology area.
Third, all the major multinational information technology companies already have a presence here, a sector in which developments are taking place at blinding speed. These are three areas where we can clearly see the potential for innovation, as exemplified on a smaller scale by the young scientists last week. All of that potential is there to be harnessed in the next 20 years.
Will the task force look at the bigger picture and the longer view where there is clearly potential for substantial job creation and job sustainability arising from innovation? That will clearly require a longer-term remit for the task force than its initial six-month allocation. Irrespective of political positions, this is something that will stand to us, but it will require encouragement and clarity of objective from Government. Will the Taoiseach ensure, having chaired its first meeting, that the task force on innovation and its four sub-committees will focus on these clear areas of massive potential for the State?
We received a detailed report recently on the area of green enterprise from the group under the chairmanship of Joe Harford, who is also a member of the innovation taskforce. That is a linkage in terms of those two exercises which is beneficial. The outcome of the recommendations by the innovation taskforce will take cognisance of that and be very much aware of the potential that has been identified by the green enterprise group that recently reported detailed proposals for the creation of new jobs and businesses in the green technology area.
On the question of the level of funds, we are in the process of seeking to design the fund in a way that will attract private sector venture capital funds. That is precisely what is going on. The NTMA team is in the United States this week as part of that process of market testing how it can devise a fund that will assist and augment existing seed capital and other venture capital funds that are currently under the auspices of, for example, Enterprise Ireland, quite apart from the private sector venture capital industry in this country in any event. The record has shown US venture capital funds and other venture capital funds in Europe are helpful in commercialising ideas for start-up enterprises far more quickly where they can identify potential. Such funds have worked very well, for example, in Israel and elsewhere. That is the concept we are seeking to develop.
The taskforce will report shortly. It has broken up into a number of working groups comprising a number of very well qualified people who are involved in the business of start-up companies themselves, as well as people from Departments. The terms of reference that were given to the group less than six months ago draw on the lessons from successful international and national models in the area of the strategy for science, technology and innovation. The group was to examine options, increase levels of innovation and the rates of commercialisation of research and development on a national basis with a view to accelerating the growth and scale-up of indigenous enterprise and to attract new knowledge-intensive direct investment.
The taskforce was also to seek to bring forward proposals for enhancing the linkages between institutions, agencies and organisations in the public and private sectors to ensure a cohesive innovation and commercialisation ecosystem. It was also to identify any specific policy measures that might be necessary to support the concept of Ireland as an international innovation development hub, including in the areas of legislation, educational policy, intellectual property arrangements, venture capital and immigration policy.
A number of working groups have been set up because of the relatively limited reporting timeframe of six months and the significant expertise and experience of members. It was considered that the establishment of a number of focused working groups was the best way to progress the terms of reference and consider certain aspects of the work programme. For example, the first group deals with incentives, intellectual property and venture capital, identifying measures to increase innovation, commercialisation and entrepreneurship, including changes to incentives, venture capital arrangements and intellectual property strategies. Another group is focusing on commercialisation, technology transfer and converging technologies, including examining institutional structures for research and development funding delivery, how to maximise commercialisation of research, increase technology transfer and promote innovation in converging technologies.
A further group is considering how to achieve the innovation island concept, how to position and promote this country as the innovation island, including attracting entrepreneurs, foreign direct investment, international start-ups and private sector research and development investment. The fourth group is examining the international innovation development hub Dublin, supporting the various alliances that have taken place in the university system, for example, including identifying necessary supporting policy measures. Much good work is being done. A great deal of seriousness of intent and time is being given voluntarily by many people to assist in bringing forward ideas based on what has been outlined in the terms of reference.
The Government's approach to the task force seems to have all the lack of urgency that is so typical of this Government. The idea of an innovation task force was announced by the Government in December 2008 with great fanfare in Dublin Castle to introduce the Government's plans for a smart economy. It took all of six months to get the task force set up, and it was not set up until June of last year. The last time the Taoiseach answered questions in the House about this task force, he told us it would report early in the new year. This is early in the new year and I see now it will meet again at the end of January and the report will be sometime after that. Meanwhile, there are 423,595 people on the live register, 84,000 of whom are under 25, many of them the kind of young people who are emigrating and who we would expect should be working in the smart economy, if we had one.
Has this task force made any recommendation to date to Government in respect of any measure that the Government might have taken to advance the smart economy and innovation in this country? Was any specific recommendation made to Government in advance of the recent budget, for example, which might have informed the provisions of that budget, or lack of them, in respect of measures to generate employment? Is it envisaged that this task force will make any recommendation or have any report made to Government before the Finance Bill so that any measures that are contained in it in respect of start-up capital incentives and so on might be included in the Bill?
I reject Deputy Gilmore's suggestion that there is a delay involved. There is much very good work ongoing, and I do not accept that six months is a long time to give the task force to do that work. Quite apart from the innovation task force that was mentioned at the launch of the smart economy framework, many other initiatives were also mentioned. That framework is a comprehensive strategy covering not just innovation and research and development but all aspects of economic renewal.
There have, in fact, been tax changes to support the smart economy, including an improved research and development tax credit, new tax arrangements for intellectual property and tax incentives for start-up companies and to encourage venture capital companies to locate in Ireland. Indeed, at the time of the publication of the smart economy document, in preparation for the Finance Bill last year, these sorts of changes were incorporated so one would not have had to wait for a report for that to happen.
I have outlined in previous replies what is the purpose of this task force's work at present. New technology initiatives to support a smart economy have also taken place, including the development of a new international content services centre, making Ireland the leading location for energy efficient data centres such as the Microsoft centre I opened during last year, which saw an investment of over €500 million. There are a number of other issues in the whole renewable energy area and, as I said, we now have the green enterprise group, which reported last month with a series of recommendations which will also be helpful.
As the Deputy will be aware, there is a need to support a culture of innovation to help start-up companies and to make sure we have the right processes and policies in place, whether they be fiscal or in regard to intellectual property. A number of changes have already taken place in that area.
Can the Taoiseach be more specific than he has been up to now with regard to when this task force will actually report? I understand from him that there is a meeting towards the end of January, probably on 29 January. Is that to be the final meeting of the task force? Is it the meeting at which it will conclude its report? When does the Taoiseach expect that the report will be presented? To whom will the task force report?
In September, I attended a good event in Farmleigh at which leading business people from various parts of the world, many from North America, with connections to Ireland were assembled. The weekend was bubbling with good ideas for economic development in Ireland. What happened with this? It was my understanding that a report was to be produced and circulated to participants, but I got no such report. I do not know whether one has been prepared. Will the Taoiseach inform the House of the follow-up to the September Farmleigh event?
The Minister for Foreign Affairs produced a report on that and it was put on the website. However, as Deputy Gilmore says, there are ideas that have to be taken forward and concepts that have to be developed. A great deal of work is being done in respect of some of those mentioned at the conference and it will continue.
On the innovation task force, I make the point that the next meeting will be, if not the last, then the penultimate meeting and I expect a report in the next couple of months, based on how advanced things are at the moment.
The Taoiseach cited several smart economy initiatives that have been taken in the innovation area. Regarding a specific initiative mentioned, Innovation Fund Ireland's €500 million was to increase the availability of capital to small research and development companies. How much of that fund, if any, has been accessed? What is the current take-up and the processing procedure regarding same?
In earlier replies, the Taoiseach cited a number of areas, each of which we welcome. However, I am sure the House would like to know how much of the matter is still paperwork and how much has occurred in terms of delivery. How many companies have been able to access and are currently benefiting from announced innovation?
Something caught the imagination during the course of last year, namely, the ESB's announcement of the creation of some 3,700 new jobs covering the areas of new meters, smart networks, electric vehicles and wind energy to name but a few. This announcement was lauded and applauded by the Taoiseach's Department at the time and rightly so if the former delivers. How many of the promised 3,700 additional jobs within the ESB have been created? Has the Taoiseach concern regarding initiatives being announced and the timeframe between their announcement and the actual production of real jobs?
I mentioned in earlier replies to Deputy Kenny the nature of the fund and its progress. It is about augmenting and supplementing existing funds, including venture capital, start-up and seed capital funds in the private sector and those provided by Enterprise Ireland, for example. The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment is providing almost €300 million this year for science, technology and innovation. This is a significant contribution, as the Deputy will agree. Enterprise Ireland is allocated €129 million of that. This is used to put Irish companies at the cutting edge of development and ahead of their competitors. It provides equity funding to high-potential start-up companies. It continues its research and development grant programmes for small and medium-sized enterprises. It supports innovation partnerships between enterprises and universities. It funds three competence centres and announced and confirmed funding to further centres during the year. It continues the innovation voucher programme and provides support for near-to-the-market commercialisation. It supports researchers and companies competing for the EU Framework 7 programme to leverage a target amount of €600 million up to 2013. This is what the State moneys in place at the moment do.
The point I was making is that the level of investment in research and development now stands at €2.5 billion, which is three times what it was a decade ago. Science Foundation Ireland did not exist before this Fianna Fáil-led Administration came back into office in 1997. There was no arrangement in place then for promoting research and development as a central plank of economic policy for sustainable development into the future. It did not exist. All that has happened and has provided a great deal of investment for companies that are now providing jobs. Science Foundation Ireland has been allocated €162 million. In protecting this budget, the Government recognises the pivotal role it plays in the framework for sustainable, economic renewal. That allocation consolidates its investments to date; it leverages them for maximum outputs; it continues to support 29 major research centres; and partners with 150 small and medium-sized enterprises and blue chip multinationals in Ireland. It has been a vital driver of major investment decisions by both overseas and indigenous companies.
If one notes more than 40% of IDA investment wins are in the area of research, development and innovation worth more than €400 million annually, that gives an indication as to what is the bang for the buck. Clearly, in more difficult times one has to ensure that the funding goes to the best possible projects and that commercialisation is brought forward and not simply pure research but applied research. Science Foundation Ireland's allocation allows us to continue to fund high-quality scientific research and researchers in recognition that they are the drivers needed to develop Ireland into a high-value, knowledge-based economy.
On the question the Deputy asked about the innovation fund, as I explained earlier, we are market-testing that fund with the United States. We want to bring in more money from the private sector, particularly successful venture capital companies in the United States which have shown a track record in being able to identify and invest in start-up companies that then take the next step forward and internationalise their business, etc. The NTMA is charged with that process on our behalf and is currently operating in the United States as part of the process. The Deputy will accept that last year was not a very propitious year for obtaining venture capital investments, given the overall economic downturn, but this is part of a five-year programme. It is one of our initiatives and it is ongoing; there is no question of it lying in abeyance or anything like that.
It would be unfair of me to expect that the Taoiseach could give us an update on the uptake on the programme at this point, but can he clarify that he indicated in his reply that the National Treasury Management Agency is currently exploring the potential of attracting into this economy new inward investors in research and development with a proven record in the United States? Is that the exclusive focus of the €500 million Innovation Fund Ireland? Will it not also focus on existing small companies based in this economy in terms of aiding and abetting further research and development?
I understand this would not have been part of what the Taoiseach prepared for this reply, but will he undertake to give me an informed reply on the ESB announcement last year of 3,700 jobs, which caught the imagination of the people and was very welcomed at the time, but we have never——
A separate parliamentary question might elicit that information.
The Taoiseach will either oblige me or he will not. I am not being awkward. I only asked if he can facilitate the provision of the information, having acknowledged that he may not have it to hand this afternoon. There is a great deal of interest in learning the current position in that respect.
As the Deputy will know, that announcement was in respect of a very direct change in policy by the ESB to promote sustainable energy initiatives to help build more sustainable energy projects in Ireland over a period of years. It was not suggested that 3,900 jobs would be created over night, but the company indicated it was committed. It made the commitment in terms of investment and over a period of years it believes it will create that number of jobs. That is its policy and it is implementing it. A more detailed reply from the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources will elicit what progress has been made on it.
With regard to the other point made by the Deputy, the NTMA — because of its position in terms of dealing with funds and with this area generally — is assisting the relevant Departments in designing and market-testing a fund to attract the interest of venture capitalists. This work must be done although success in the outcome is not guaranteed. One must go out and do it and see what can be achieved. Other countries — including Israel, which set up what is known as the Yozma fund — have been successful in this regard. This does not guarantee success for us, but we are in the process of providing such a fund because we believe that in addition to traditional areas of finance for companies in the start-up phase, venture capital can provide the pump-priming necessary to commercialise an idea or concept and ensure it has a sustainable future. It is not the case in every enterprise but there are some for which that is the case.
The fund will supplement State provision. The State is already investing directly in seed capital funding and providing equity to start-up companies through the Enterprise Ireland programmes. The question is how we can develop a private-sector venture capital fund which is independent of the taxpayer but supports national objectives.
Independent Members.
Questions (5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:4 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Taoiseach the arrangements he has with non-party Deputies who support the Government; if changes to such arrangements were made in advance of budget 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46878/09]
View answerEnda Kenny
Question:5 Deputy Enda Kenny asked the Taoiseach the arrangements in place in his Department for providing assistance to certain Independent Members of Dáil Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48410/09]
View answerEamon Gilmore
Question:6 Deputy Eamon Gilmore asked the Taoiseach the Deputies with whom special arrangements have been made in return for support for the Government; if changes to these arrangements were made prior to or arising from budget 2010; if such changes have been costed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48421/09]
View answerEnda Kenny
Question:7 Deputy Enda Kenny asked the Taoiseach if the agreements between the Government and the Independent Deputies who support the Government were changed in advance of the budget 2010 statement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48425/09]
View answerEnda Kenny
Question:8 Deputy Enda Kenny asked the Taoiseach the number of Independent Deputies with whom he has entered into agreements to support the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48426/09]
View answerOral answers (23 contributions)
I propose to take Questions Nos. 4 to 8, inclusive, together.
The agreements referred to are political agreements entered into by my predecessor as leader of the Fianna Fáil Party with individual Independent Deputies — namely, Deputies Healy-Rae and Lowry. On becoming leader of Fianna Fáil, I confirmed to the Deputies concerned that I would continue to implement those agreements. As the House is aware, such arrangements have existed for more than 12 years.
The agreements are confidential but are, as always, based on the programme for Government, which incorporates the national development plan, approved Government programmes and annual Estimates for capital and current expenditure. I have continued the practice whereby a staff member in my office assists the Chief Whip's office in its work in liaising with these Deputies. The staff member meets the Deputies on a regular basis and arranges to keep them briefed on issues as they arise. No changes have been made to these arrangements.
Could I ask the Taoiseach——
I beg the Deputy's pardon. I understand the practice is that the Deputy who tabled the first question is the first to be called. I rarely have this opportunity so I will avail of it while it is there.
As is the case on almost all such occasions, Deputy Healy-Rae availed of the opportunity, in the course of the passage of budget 2010 before Christmas — in return, allegedly, for his support in the passage of the budget and all votes related to it, including the disgraceful and savage cuts in social welfare supports — to declare that he had secured a deal from the Government regarding a promised 40-bed hospital facility in Kenmare. The Taoiseach has the Minister for Health and Children at his side. Is it not the case, as was my understanding, that a commitment to establish a 40-bed hospital facility in Kenmare had issued 12 months previously from the HSE? Either it was a quid pro quo for Deputy Healy-Rae’s support in the passage of budget 2010 or it was not. Certainly, the Deputy has sought to impress on everyone that such a deal was done and that there were other elements of the deal which related to his constituency of Kerry South.
Can the Taoiseach inform the House whether he, or representatives of his Department, met Deputy Healy-Rae to discuss his support for budget 2010? Was the establishment of a 40-bed hospital in Kenmare one of the matters discussed? What other matters were discussed? Are these matters — including the hospital facility — new elements of existing arrangements between the Government and the Independent Deputy for Kerry South? Did similar engagements take place with other Deputies who are currently——
At a time like this, there always is a danger that issues which relate to another Minister may be introduced to the question.
I have absolutely no idea what the Ceann Comhairle is talking about. I am asking the Taoiseach a question which he can answer. Either he or representatives of his Department did or did not engage with Deputy Healy-Rae.
Deputy Grealish was reported to have met the Taoiseach on 8 December in advance of the budget that he also supported. What can the Taoiseach tell Members about this meeting? What of the meeting with Deputies Scanlon and Devins? Were hospital upgrades and major road repairs, which I note from the statements issued by both Deputies representing the Sligo-North Leitrim constituency, promised in return for their votes? Each of them supported budget 2010 and the subsequent disgraceful measures in respect of social welfare. Is this the case that such Deputies, with whom the Taoiseach allegedly has a standing arrangement going back to 2007 and the formation of the Government, can up the ante every time the Government presents budget proposals or other measures such as Members have gone through all too frequently in the closing months of last year? Do they continue to be in a position to ratchet up their demands on the public purse regarding their own respective constituency needs? The Taoiseach should clarify the position and shed some light regarding the current arrangements with the Government of each of these Deputies in the context of budget 2010, which was introduced in the early stages of last December.
As I have stated previously, no changes were made to the arrangements in advance of the budget. Obviously, I meet Deputies on all sides of the House from time to time, with varying degrees of success depending on their disposition. I make the point that political agreements and arrangements are in place. I would be hesitant were the Deputy to try to second-guess how Deputy Healy-Rae wishes to communicate with his constituents. That is a matter for Deputy Healy-Rae. It is true that the requirements for a community hospital in Kenmare have been long sought and have been supported by Deputy Healy-Rae and others for some time. If Deputy Healy-Rae wishes to communicate to his constituents the validity of his support for the Government by giving another indication of how they benefit from his support of the Government, as distinct from those who oppose it, he would take that small advantage whenever it arises. Were Deputy Ó Caoláin in the same position, he would not be too far behind the door himself. It is time to recognise that there are Members who support the Government and who have political arrangements that were completed by my predecessor and which continue in operation.
As for other Members, Deputies Devins and Scanlon are members of the Fianna Fáil Party, albeit not members of the parliamentary party at present. I am glad to note the Government was in a position to confirm the developments for Sligo General Hospital, which were possible on the basis that they were required. Contrary to what the Deputy seems to suggest, it is not the case that the proposals as put forward lack merit. They have merit and have been in planning for some time. From my perspective, yes, I meet Deputies. I met Deputies Lowry and Grealish and many people. Before a budget, it always is timely to speak to Ministers and the Government regarding arrangements and agreements that are in place to enable it to try to assist where it can, consistent with programme for Government commitments. An examination of any of these projects would reveal them to have merit and I understand they are well supported by all sides of the House.
In a brief follow-on to the Taoiseach's response, I note that while it is all very well to make the point that Deputy Healy Rae will employ all means and methods of communicating with his constituents, this is a case of smoke and mirrors. The Taoiseach is playing that game himself by not being absolutely up-front in his response. A nod and wink approach always is taken in this regard and it is not all on Deputy Healy-Rae's side. It is also on the Taoiseach's side because he would have us believe, as the Minister for Health and Children, who is beside him, has stated ad nauseam, that the HSE makes determinations in regard to hospital configuration and the network. I have heard that probably more often than any Deputy given the constituency I represent and my home county of Monaghan. However, the Taoiseach is happy to allow Deputy Healy-Rae make whatever claims he likes and he is not prepared to discount them and to make it clear that is not the way hospital facilities are secured. I wish the people of Kenmare well and while I support the provision of such a facility, I want equity across the board and equal access to all hospital services. Does the Taoiseach agree a more upfront reply from him would clarify for all Deputies and the wider populace the position that must apply to the configuration of hospital services and it is not a gift he or anyone else can offer to a Deputy as a trade off for his or her support and votes in the House?
Time has expired.
How would the Leas-Cheann Comhairle know that? He is only in the House. I am following the nods carefully.
The order of the House is that questions to the Taoiseach ended three minutes ago.
That is unfortunate.
I do not need to be in early or late to know that. I would like to allow other Deputies to put a brief supplementary.
It is time the Taoiseach was upfront with the House.
What is the cost of the commitments to the Independent Deputies for 2010? Far be it from me to interfere with the arrangements Deputy Healy-Rae has with the Government, but is this the same hospital in Kenmare for which he secured a commitment ten years ago?
Or an extension to it.
Every time we ask these questions about the agreements between the Government and the Independent Deputies, we seem to run into the sand and we have never been able to track down where are the agreements. Nobody has ever put them on the record of the House or told us exactly what is in them. It is a bit like chasing the Holy Grail. I have come to the conclusion that there are no agreements. Every time Deputies Healy-Rae and Lowry say they have secured something for their constituency, a Minister says it was in the pipeline anyway. When Deputies Devins and Scanlon said they secured the hospital extension for Sligo, they were told it was coming anyway. The reality is that Deputies Healy-Rae and Lowry and other Deputies like them who support the Government have sold out the pensioners and their constituents and all they have in return is the pleasure of a periodic private meeting with the Taoiseach.
Obviously the electorates of those constituencies do not agree with the Deputy.
They obviously rate a meeting with the Taoiseach highly.
Or the pleasure of a meeting.
Deputy Gilmore might find value in a meeting some time.
Not for a while yet.
The Deputy is not as shy as he lets on.
With regard to the comments of Deputies Ó Caoláin and Kenny, it is well known that agreements are in place with people who support the Government and the Government seeks to honour them in the context of available resources and priorities and programme for Government commitments. It is the same for political parties as Independent Deputies and, therefore, I do not see why party leaders should be so dismissive of individual Deputies who seek to have arrangements with the Government when they would make that a condition for membership of a government themselves.
That is an interesting development.