Seamus Brennan
Ceist:2 Mr. S. Brennan asked the Taoiseach the number of meetings of the steering committee that have been held to monitor the programme A Government of Renewal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11176/95]
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Programme for Government Implementation.
The progressive implementation of the provisions in the programme A Government of Renewal is monitored by the meetings of programme managers which have been taking place on a weekly basis since 25 January last. They report, as appropriate, to the party Leaders who also meet on a weekly basis.
Is the Taoiseach aware that progress has been made on less than 10 per cent of the 100 or so proposals in the Programme for Government? Does he agree that the meetings need to be much more effective if he is to secure a better rate? A figure of less than 10 per cent is hardly sufficient for this Government.
I do not accept that and I suggest the Deputy tables questions about individual aspects of the Programme for Government.
Does the Taoiseach consider that many more meetings are required given that the finances are off the rails, crime is escalating, policy on semi-State companies is in disarray and there is a worrying lack of urgency in regard to Northern Ireland?
The Deputy's party left them in disarray.
Given that track record does the Taoiseach consider that more effective meetings need to be held urgently by the steering committee?
The Deputy's party's many researchers are feeding it all sorts of nonsense.
The public finances are being dealt with in an effective way. Crime is not escalting and is also being dealt with in an effective way. The Garda Síochána and other forces of law are being given support perhaps on a scale they did not receive from the previous Government. The semi-State sector and all its strategic problems are being dealt with effectively and expeditiously at Cabinet level. Decisions which were deferred or not taken by the previous Government are being taken by this Government. On all four measures adduced by the Deputy progress is being made. In framing the question this way he is displaying a certain distance from the facts.
(Interruptions.)
A commitment was given in the Programme for Government to consider the issue of Cabinet confidentiality. Have the programme managers examined how the Government might advance in changing the law in this area?
As I said to Deputy Brennan, the most appropriate way for the Deputy to raise questions about individual aspects of the Programme for Government is to table questions.
I did.
While I cannot give a precise reference in terms of date and column number I have already answered questions on the subject from the Deputy.
The Taoiseach answered questions some considerable time ago when he said that the Government would examine the issue with a view to holding a referendum later this year. I tabled further questions but, unfortunately, they were ruled out of order under the six months rule. If the Taoiseach could enlighten me any further I would appreciate it.
I suggest that the Deputy seeks another way of raising the matter. I would be happy to provide information but I am not in a position, in the time available, to go through each individual recommendation in the Programme for Government in response to this question. I suggest that the Deputy tables another question, raises the matter on the Adjournment or deals with it in one of the many other well tried and known ways Deputies have for raising matters of interest to them.
The Taoiseach does not respond to matters raised during the Adjournment Debate. What about the transparency I was promised?
I remind the House that 30 minutes only are provided on a Tuesday for dealing with questions to the Taoiseach.
The Taoiseach mentioned in reply to Deputy Brennan that weekly meetings are held between the three party Leaders, at which I presume disagreements are ironed out. Have the varying opinions on third level fees been discussed? The Minister for Social Welfare, Deputy De Rossa, openly expressed his opinion recently.
There is no subject that we have not discussed. We discuss them in an amicable and effective way.
In relation to the implementation of the Programme for Government and the steering committee, is it the Taoiseach's opinion that the miserly increase of £2 in the capitation grant per pupil at primary level was inadequate given that £35 million was realised through the abolition of tax covenants?
The Deputy is raising a specific matter worthy of a separate question.
Is the Deputy pro public expenditure?
The Government gave the money to undergraduates and left the primary sector bereft of funding.