Enda Kenny
Ceist:8 Mr. Kenny asked the Taoiseach the nature of the agreement or understanding between the Government and Deputy Cooper-Flynn; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13338/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 26 May 2004
Ceisteanna (8, 9, 10, 11)
Pat Rabbitte
Ceist:9 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Taoiseach the nature of the agreement or understanding between the Government and Deputy Cooper-Flynn; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14243/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraPat Rabbitte
Ceist:10 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Taoiseach the nature of the agreement or understanding between the Government and Deputy Collins; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14244/04]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Trevor Sargent
Ceist:11 Mr. Sargent asked the Taoiseach the agreement or understanding between the Government and Deputy Cooper-Flynn; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15610/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí ó Béal (29 píosaí cainte)
I propose to take Questions Nos. 8 to 11, inclusive, together.
There is no agreement or understanding between the Government and either of the Deputies.
Does an official in the Taoiseach's Department deal with any Independent Members on a regular basis, as was the case in the past? I am happy to hear the Taoiseach's confirmation in respect of these two Deputies. Is an official assigned or detailed to work with other Independent Deputies and particular claims they might have?
That does not arise in respect of the question.
One member of staff continues to deal with Independent Members, but not to the same level or extent as during the lifetime of the previous Government because of the circumstances pertaining to it. I have not cut off the courtesies shown to the people who supported the previous Government.
If it does not apply to Deputy Collins and Deputy Cooper-Flynn, does the official involved brief other Independent Deputies and who are they?
That does not arise in respect of this question.
The Ceann Comhairle knows that it does arise. The Taoiseach has not withdrawn the normal courtesies extended by his Department to other Deputies. What does his official do? Does he or she brief other Independent Deputies on certain matters and, if so, who are those Deputies? Do such briefings stop short of people receiving intermittent deliveries from Departments or Ministers of State?
The question refers specifically to two Members, namely, Deputies Cooper-Flynn and Collins.
They are now spare wheels rather than full wheels.
The previous Administration, which was a minority Government, had a formal arrangement under which the official in question spent quite an amount of time briefing certain Deputies on what was due to arise in the Dáil and the nature of legislation that would be dealt with. These Deputies were briefed on the legislation because they supported the Government and co-operated closely with it. That system has not carried over into this Administration. However, when those Deputies raise important issues, which is a regular enough occurrence, we endeavour to assist them. This does not involve deliveries being made and it is a normal courtesy. It is a service that I am always prepared to extend to other Deputies as well.
We would all appreciate some of that service.
I have never walked down the corridor without extending that facility. I even extended it to a few Members yesterday.
Is the Taoiseach entirely comfortable with the manner in which he dealt with Deputy Cooper-Flynn as compared with that in which he dealt with several other colleagues who found themselves in difficulty?
That does not arise in respect of this question.
Of course it does.
It does not arise. This question refers specifically to the relationship between the Government and the Deputies in question.
I have not yet managed to come up with one question which is in order.
It is not like the Deputy to be out of order so often.
I must admit that I am puzzled by it.
I was interested to hear the Taoiseach referring to normal courtesies. It is a legacy of the freedom of information legislation — even if it was not the original intention — that so many things are no longer written down on the basis that they might come into the public domain. Is the courtesy which the Taoiseach is extending to other Deputies also extended to Deputies Cooper-Flynn and Collins, particularly as both Deputies have let it be known that they feel close to Fianna Fáil? The Deputies may no longer feel as close to the party as previously but they are still very much members of the family.
First cousins, once removed.
Does that fact not qualify them for some courtesy on the basis of the Taoiseach's previous chivalrous remarks?
I try to be courteous to all Deputies. Deputy Sargent will recall that I tried to assist his party when the system was bearing down upon it.
Democracy has its time.
I respect every Member of the House.
Does the Taoiseach intend to visit Castlebar during the European election campaign and will we see a reprise——
That matter does not arise in respect of this question.
——of the fortuitous but very happy rendezvous he enjoyed with Deputy Cooper-Flynn and other members of the family during the general election campaign in 2002?
That matter does not arise.