Enda Kenny
Ceist:5 Mr. Kenny asked the Taoiseach his plans to update or amend the Cabinet Handbook; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17927/02]
Ceisteanna – Questions. - Cabinet Handbook.
Joe Higgins
Ceist:6 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Taoiseach if an update or amendment of the Cabinet Handbook is planned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21355/02]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 5 and 6 together.
The Cabinet Handbook is primarily concerned with the procedures determined from time to time by the Government for the conduct of business at Cabinet meetings. While members of Government are, of course, answerable to this House in respect of decisions taken at Cabinet, they are not answerable for the procedures under which the business at Cabinet meetings is regulated.
Section 1(28) of the handbook prohibits Ministers from accepting expenses from private commercial organisations. Could the Taoiseach clarify whether this extends to semi-State commercial bodies which in many cases are dependent upon ministerial contact for decisions in respect of their development?
The Cabinet Handbook is effectively the Standing Orders of the Cabinet just like those for the regulation of this House, so it does not extend beyond that.
Could the Taoiseach explain the current regulations governing the acceptance of awards or gifts to Cabinet Ministers by commercial or semi-State organisations and tell us if he has reiterated those to members of the Cabinet recently?
I think the Deputy is going outside the terms of the question.
All Cabinet members are bound by the rules which are internal to the Cabinet and members may not go beyond the gift levels or circumstances listed in the book.
The Deputy is aware of the responsibility under the standards in public office legislation in regard to gifts.
The Cabinet Handbook provides that a Minister can have ten staff in his or her private office and six in the constituency office and a Minister of State can have seven and five respectively. Does the Taoiseach propose amending that given that hard-working TDs must have their political contributions and their constituency work done by one poorly paid secretary? Is this not excessive and bad use of scarce public resources? Does the Taoiseach believe it is productive use of public servants to have them churning out sacks full of Christmas cards between now and Christmas?
The first part of the question on whether an amendment is proposed is in order.
My question relates to proposals to change or amend the provision.
The first part is in order but the Deputy is starting to drift from that.
Between now and Christmas six or seven workers in every Minister's office will merely be churning out sacks full of Christmas cards to every dog and devil the Minister thinks he or she should grace with such cards. Is that not an argument for change?
That is not in order. The Deputy will have to find another way to raise the matter.
There are also rules about how many Christmas cards can be sent out. There are rules about everything.
Does the Taoiseach acknowledge there is a problem with the imbalance of resources put at the disposal of the Executive as compared to the Opposition?
That does not arise. These two questions relate specifically to the Cabinet Handbook and whether amendments are contemplated.
Does the Taoiseach believe he and his Ministers are bound by procedures in the Cabinet Handbook? If he does consider himself bound by them, why did he feel it necessary to breach those procedures in terms of the memorandum—
That does not arise on this question. I suggest the Deputy submits a question on the matter.
What memorandum?
Campus Stadium Ireland, in which case the Taoiseach avoided consultations with the Minister for Finance and brought the memorandum directly to Cabinet.
That does not arise.
It matters a great deal.
It does not arise. The Deputy will have to find another way to raise it.
I am not sure if the handbook refers to this matter, but will the Taoiseach clarify whether the new penalty point system applies to State cars and ministerial drivers? If it does apply, how will it work and who will get the insurance increase? Is that mentioned in the Cabinet Handbook or does the Taoiseach intend to amend it? Some of these vehicles move through traffic at speeds in excess of 30 miles per hour.
That does not arise.
They are passed out only by Deputies in bigger cars.