Dick Spring
Ceist:2 Mr. Spring asked the Taoiseach if he will elaborate on media reports (details supplied) of a statement he made that he will introduce a more open and honest style of leadership.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Taoiseach's Leadership Style.
It is my intention to answer as many questions as are appropriate to me in this House.
I also propose to be accessible to the press and the media, within reason, consistent with the time that I need to carry out my principal functions. In addition, it is my intention that there should be weekly Government press briefings with political correspondents, except during holiday periods so that there will not be long periods of inaccessibility to the media as used to happen some years ago.
With regard to my own actions and decisions I intend to be open and transparent about the background and the reasons for them, giving as much information as possible, provided that adequate notice is given of the information requested, except where certain sensitive areas of Government familiar to the Deputy which require the maintenance of secrecy and confidentiality are concerned.
I welcome that very reasoned response but there are two aspects on which I seek clarification. First, as regards the intention to have weekly Government press briefings, can I take it there will be a ministerial presence or that the Taoiseach will attend those meetings? Second, as regards the announcement made by the Taoiseach yesterday, while I understand the roles of two of the advisers — the Government press secretary and the head of the Government Information Services — perhaps the Taoiseach will explain the role of the third person, the Government media adviser?
I relation to the first part of the question, yes, it is my intention to have a weekly press briefing with the political correspondents at 4 p.m. on Thursday afternoons, not necessarily the Taoiseach attending each one but perhaps the Minister or Ministers in whose areas major developments have taken place within that week. In relation to the second part of the question, it is my intention to improve communications throughout the whole area of Government and public service to try to get as much information as possible out there. I have appointed an adviser to look at the overall operations and interaction of information between Departments and information officers in Departments to see how we can improve the position.
Is the Taoiseach suggesting that the Government in which he participated for four and a half years and which was led by his predecessor, was a dishonest style of Government?
Certainly not. I am looking forward and not looking backwards.
While welcoming the Taoiseach's assurance that he intends to provide openness in response to questions, may I ask him to give the House two assurances: first, that the Ministers will be as forthcoming in the House as undoubtedly they will be with the political journalists and, second, he will ensure that each Minister will maintain the same level of openness he has just enunciated, and that that would be conveyed to the people who write the parliamentary replies in each Department.
The Deputies opposite have much experience in Government themselves and it is regrettable they did not practise what they are trying to impart to others at this stage. In all the Ministries in which I served I was as forthcoming with answers as I could be in relation to every matter raised in this House. The members of my Cabinet will be equally forthcoming as far as that is possible. Hopefully, Deputies opposite will take that on board recognising they were not very forthcoming when in Government.
I thought the Taoiseach said to forget the past.
What will be the relationship between the Government press office and the press office of the political parties forming the Government? In particular, is there anything unusual with the fax in the Taoiseach's office being used to issue statements on behalf of a party official of one of the two parties forming the Government?
The press offices of the various parties operate on their own. I have asked for an explanation of the incident raised by the Deputy.
May I ask the Taoiseach if, central to his proposals for open Government, he will make a vigorous effort to bring forward and implement in full the proposals on Dáil reform contained in the joint Programme for Government?
That is a separate question.
That is a separate matter altogether. Please Deputy that matter is worthy of a separate question.
There is a question down on Dáil reform — Question No. 10.
Will the Taoiseach ensure that the practice heretofore of major Government initiatives being announced outside the House will cease and that such announcements will be made in the House in the first instance, particularly where there are interests or questions pending in that regard?
That is a separate question.
Arising from the Taoiseach's new found glasnost and perestroika, would he consider introducing a freedom of information Bill?
That is a separate question.
Can we proceed to Question No. 3?