Ruairí Quinn
Ceist:1 Mr. Quinn asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Handbook was last amended. [26412/01]
Ceisteanna–Questions. - Cabinet Handbook.
Michael Noonan
Ceist:2 Mr. Noonan asked the Taoiseach his plans for changes to the Cabinet Handbook; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28470/01]
Joe Higgins
Ceist:3 Mr. Higgins (Dublin West) asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Handbook was last amended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30955/01]
Joe Higgins
Ceist:4 Mr. Higgins (Dublin West) asked the Taoiseach his plans for changes to the Cabinet Handbook; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30956/01]
Michael Noonan
Ceist:5 Mr. Noonan asked the Taoiseach his plans to hold Cabinet meetings outside Dublin during the first half of 2002; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30966/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 5, inclusive, together.
The Cabinet Handbook was published in October 1998. Two amendments to the handbook were published in November 1999. Incorporation of a further amendment approved last year in relation to statute law restatement will follow the enactment of the relevant legislation. An Irish language version of the handbook was published in May 2001. There are no further plans to amend it.
The Government intends to continue having meetings outside Dublin from time to time. So far meetings have been held in Ballaghaderreen, County Roscommon, Knocknaheeney, County Cork, Faithlegg, County Waterford, Ballymascanlon, County Louth and Killarney, County Kerry. However, there are no further meetings planned at this stage.
Will the Taoiseach confirm that the handbook, as it currently stands, does not give any advice to Ministers using the advertising budgets of their Departments for their personal self-promotion? In the light of recent sets of advertisements that featured the Minister for Finance strolling down the banks of the Grand Canal, or indeed—
I understand a question on that matter was submitted but disallowed.
Do you mind if I continue?
As long as the Deputy stays within the—
I am talking about the handbook which gives guidance to Cabinet Ministers as to how they should behave. It appears that it does not give any guidance in respect of the hijack of departmental advertising budgets for personal promotion. To assist the Taoiseach, and before you intervened, Sir, I was describing the three or four examples—
A question, please.
We can have an orderly Question Time, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle, and I will comply with your rulings if I am not continually interrupted. I prefaced my remarks—
The Chair does not interrupt. The Chair intervenes. We will have an orderly Question Time as long as the Deputy asks relevant questions. He should ask questions, not make statements.
Perhaps we should get the Ceann Comhairle if you believe that I cannot conduct my affairs properly.
Nobody is suggesting that. I am suggesting that the Deputy ask the Taoiseach a question.
Have a bit of common sense.
That is what I was looking for, but I will start again, in order I trust. Since the Cabinet Handbook does not provide guidelines on what I perceive to be a new development, although that may not be the case but I cannot recall it in the past, will the Taoiseach consider it desirable from everybody's point of view that departmental budgets for legitimate advertising purposes are not personalised in a way where people who would be candidates for election within six months from now are given high profile, personalised positions in terms of newspaper, radio and television advertisements?
As the Deputy said, that is not in the Cabinet handbook, but I recall similar arguments being made in the past about the issue. I think the Deputy would like me to examine precedents and practices in this regard, and I will gladly do so.
The Cabinet Handbook sets out the guidelines for appropriate behaviour for office holders. Some of the guidelines are incorporated in law, others are on a more informal basis. In view of the fact that there is widespread concern, which continues, about revelations at tribunals, does the Taoiseach consider it appropriate that he would accept a donation from a key witness at a tribunal at a recent fund-raising event? Does he believe that the Cabinet Handbook should be amended to take into account that particular practice if he deems it inappropriate?
The handbook contains detailed and clear guidelines on ethics in public office and the 1995 Act with which office holders have to comply. I have not taken money from anybody.
Sorry—
I have not taken money from anybody or asked anybody for money, regardless of whether they are involved in a tribunal.
Will the Taoiseach clarify reports in the newspapers about his fund-raising?
That matter does not arise on this question.
I would like to answer the question, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle, because it is the only way of addressing these matters, unless one goes to litigation which, as I found out on the last occasion, is rather costly because one cannot get one's money back. It is better to do it here.
Did Starry not have any money?
Not a penny. Headlines are written to the effect that one got the money, but one never gets the money and has to pay the fees. That is how the old game works. If a constituency organises a function and I attend as guest of honour, I neither vet nor organise who else attends, nor do I handle the money.
Neither does Deputy Noonan.
I am sure Deputy Noonan does not do so either.
For whose benefit is it raised?
When the Taoiseach examines the situation to which my first question referred he will find that a considerable amount of money was expended in replying to parliamentary questions. To avoid further abuse – I regard it as an abuse – and for everybody's interest in the run-up to a general election, the Taoiseach should take the view that departmental advertisements should not be availed of by office holders who will be candidates in forthcoming elections. The Taoiseach knows what I am referring to, and it would be advisable from the point of view of all concerned.
For years I have taken the view that one is better off when there are rules because it is safer for everybody. It is like everything else in life. If there are rules, we might not always comply with them, but we should try to live by them as best we can. I am not saying I accept there has been an abuse, but neither am I that familiar with the practice. I can remember similar arguments. I will certainly look at the issue, but there is a protection in having rules.
Will the Taoiseach agree that while some business is conducted in Cabinet meetings held outside Dublin, they are usually used for public relations purposes? Will he indicate if Cabinet meetings outside Dublin are scheduled to take place between now and the general election and, if so, will he ensure they are purely business meetings and not further public relations initiatives at the taxpayers' expense?
I do not agree that Cabinet meetings held outside Dublin are public relations initiatives. During the Cabinet meetings held at Ballaghaderreen and Faithlegg, the entire Cabinet met the southern, eastern and BMW regional bodies. We had working meetings with those bodies and held conferences on what would happen in regard to setting up their structures. The Cabinet meeting in Ballymascanlon, County Louth was held at a time when Ballymascanlon had been hit hard by foot and mouth disease, lost its entire tourist season and was coming to a period when it thought it could move on. We thought the meeting would help the county and, similarly, Killarney. There is no harm in having meetings outside Dublin. In many ways it is good for members of a Cabinet to see what is outside the Pale.
And for those of us outside the Pale to see Dublin occasionally.
On the issue of Cabinet meetings, would it be possible for the Taoiseach to organise one in County Monaghan?
Does this matter arise from the five questions?
Are there any plans to hold a Cabinet meeting in Monaghan because there are many problems in the county that need to be addressed, including infrastructure, hospital services and many other issues?
You are wandering from the substance of the five questions.
It is very relevant to a Cabinet meeting in County Monaghan.
I hope the Leas-Cheann Comhairle informed the Taoiseach if this is in the affirmative.
An Leas-Cheann Comhairle and the good Deputy Crawford looked after me very well in Monaghan last week, which I greatly appreciate. I also saw some of the problems and successes in the county.
- Ráiteas mar Eolas do Vótálaithe i ndáil leis an mBille um an gCúigiú Leasú is Fiche ar an mBunreacht (Beatha Dhaonna le linn Toirchis a Chosaint), 2001: Tairiscint. Statement for the Information of Voters in relation to the Twenty-fifth Amendment of the Constitution (Protection of Human Life in Pregnancy) Bill, 2001: Motion.
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