Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 December 2004
4 Mr. Kenny asked the Taoiseach the details of the arrangements within his Department for providing assistance to certain independent Deputies of Dáil Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30938/04]
Amharc ar fhreagra5 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Taoiseach if he will list the Deputies in respect of whom arrangements have been made by his Department to provide assistance; the nature of the assistance provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32123/04]
Amharc ar fhreagra6 Mr. Sargent asked the Taoiseach if his Department has made arrangements to provide assistance to certain members of Dáil Éireann; the nature of that assistance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33156/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 4 to 6, inclusive, together.
A number of Independent Deputies offered invaluable support to the previous Fianna Fáil-Progressive Democrats Government. Their support is not as critical to the Government's majority in this Administration, but given the support they have provided in the past, I have always tried, and continue to try, to be as helpful as possible to these Deputies. A staff member in my office assists the Government Chief Whip's office in its work in liaising with these Deputies, namely Deputy Fox, Deputy Healy-Rae and Deputy Blaney of Independent Fianna Fáil. This official meets with these Deputies on a regular basis and arranges to keep them briefed on issues as they arise.
I was going to ask the Taoiseach how the clinics were going within his party and with his Ministers — there was an announcement about that some time ago. Did I hear correctly that Deputy Fox, Deputy Healy-Rae and Deputy Blaney are the only Deputies receiving this type of special attention? I wonder if that is due to a fear on the Taoiseach's part that he might require their services.
With regard to the official involved, is this a part-time nixer during the day whereby he or she contacts the trio involved and inquires if they want anything done in the constituency or otherwise? What is the nature of the contact? Is it about constituency problems or issues the Deputies bring to the attention of the official? There are other Independent Deputies in the House. Are they considered as second in line for special attention on the basis that the Taoiseach might require them at some time in the future?
This happens because we had a close daily association with the Deputies during the lifetime of the last Government. We have continued the facility, although it is not used nearly as often now. In fairness and courtesy to the Deputies, I felt an obligation to them because they had supported the Government throughout its term. For the official, this is just part of an assistant principal's work. It is not the same level of assistance, obviously. The last time we kept them informed of business in the House but those issues are not dealt with now. However, it is useful when they have problems and seek access to a Minister or Minister of State. Needless to say if other Independent Deputies or any Deputies seek assistance, as they do, on a basis of courtesy we always try to assist them.
While it was a special arrangement during the term of the last Government, it is not so much now.
On 22 November, there was a report in The Irish Times which appeared to indicate that the type of approaches being made to a number of Independent Deputies was far from normal. Deputy Finian McGrath and Deputy James Breen were mentioned in the report. Both described being “love bombed” in November by the Government.
They wish.
That is far from what would be considered normal discussions. Given that Deputy McGrath said he would not support a Fianna Fáil Government unless Aer Lingus remained wholly in State ownership, will the Taoiseach go further with this love bombing? Has Aer Lingus been parked for Deputy McGrath and does the Taoiseach have plans to launch further love bombing raids on the Opposition benches?
The House will have noticed that during this session I have been working particularly hard on Deputy Joe Higgins but I am not getting far.
Deputy McGrath is safe.
He even went so far as to join his party.
The Taoiseach said the facility is not being used as much now. Perhaps he would explain further why that is so. Is it that it is not useful? What is the reason? It would appear to Opposition Members that an advantage is being given to certain chosen Deputies by the provision of a fast track into Departments. If the Taoiseach says this facility is available to all Deputies, is he willing to forward to us the name of the contact person so we can avail of it?
Is the Deputy thinking of supporting us?
The last Government lasted its full constitutional term and the Deputies who supported that Government were enormously helpful in helping us achieve that. We would not have achieved it without them. Obviously, on a basis of courtesy to the Deputies, as has happened many times during my time in this House, parties will help those Independents who support them. Otherwise, let us be honest, they would not support them. The numbers in the House are different in this Dáil and that is the reason the facility is different.
In my experience, the age old practice of Members waylaying the Taoiseach and Ministers in the House to seek assistance or to get them to meet delegations probably works more effectively than going through an official. It happens here daily. I was caught twice yesterday and was asked to meet people by Opposition Deputies. I would not be doing my job if I did not do that. It has always been a courtesy of the House. It should not be seen as a big deal or special arrangement.
Surely that is a waste of the civil servant's time. Can we really afford——
That civil servant has other jobs to do. He does this as well.
This is a facility the Government has provided to ensure that it has insurance in case there is a bust up between the parties in the Government. If the Taoiseach is saying it is no use to anybody and that we are better off to lobby the Ministers in the House, does he not accept that this is a waste of a civil servant's time and that the civil servant should be responsible for something that has more of an impact?
The civil servant who is involved at any particular time has plenty of work to do. We should not make a big deal of a Member who supports the Government being able, from time to time, to get assistance. It is not a big deal. The Deputy should try supporting the Government and see if it helps her.
