John Bruton
Ceist:3 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach the arrangements he proposes to make for the exercise of his functions as Minister for Defence during any absences from the country.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Functions of Minister for Defence.
As I indicated in the House last week, I shall continue to exercise my functions as Minister for Defence in the normal way.
How long does the Taoiseach expect to continue exercising these functions?
I have dealt with that on a number of occasions. I have to deal with these matters in my own way. I am sure the Deputy, being the dedicated parliamentarian he is, would not attempt to usurp my prerogative in that regard nor would I attempt to pre-empt his or make any suggestions about the composition of his Front Bench.
I am sure the Taoiseach will accept that my purpose is not to usurp but to assume his prerogative. Does he agree that it is unsatisfactory that a person who already has a very full ministerial responsibility as Taoiseach should be double-jobbing? Does he agree that it is not simply a matter for him but that it is also a matter for the House to agree on the composition of the Government? If he wishes to propose an additional member to the Government, that requires the assent of the House. Would he agree that the appointment of an additional member to the Government as distinct from the allocation of responsibility thereto is a matter for the House? Would he not agree that it would be a common courtesy to the House to let us know when he proposes, if he proposes at all, to ask the House to agree to the appointment of an additional member of the Government who may be the one to whom responsibility for Defence would be allocated?
I have dealt with this matter ad nauseam in recent times. The function of the House is to approve or disapprove of a nomination which I would make. The rest of the business is my prerogative which I will exercise properly and in accordance with my judgment of the situation.
Could I ask——
There must be some finality to this. The Deputy has already asked a series of questions.
This is only my second question.
The Deputy has been up every day for the last few days.
The question deals with the absence of the Taoiseach from the country.
Indeed, and would the Taoiseach agree that it is planned for him to be absent for two further days this week? Would he agree that the House will rise next week and it is reasonable to ask if the House will be asked before the Christmas recess to deal with the question of the appointment of an additional member to the Government? Will the Taoiseach please answer the question?
The House will be given every opportunity to deal with the matter when it is required to do so.
When will that be?
In relation to that matter the Taoiseach is obliged under the Constitution to fill the position that is vacant. Surely the Taoiseach should indicate to the House when he proposes to comply with the constitutional requirement regarding the number of persons who make up the government? Would he not agree that it is not unacceptable that the Taoiseach, with the onerous duties that his position carries with it, should also have responsibility for the Gaeltacht, the arts, culture, women and defence? It is time for him to shed some of these responsibilities.
And still they gazed and still their wonder grew.
The Taoiseach did not realise that the House had a say in this matter.
We have had a rehash of this question every day for the last couple of days.
Would the Taoiseach not agree that rumours circulating in relation to a few Ministers of State, particularly the two who are sitting behind him, are ill founded in view of the fact that particularly the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs carried out his functions during the six months Presidency in a most exemplary fashion and had to substitute very often for the Minister?
I am delighted to learn that we Mayo people stick together.
(Interruptions.)
Mayo people are also the architects of change in this country.