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Departmental Operations

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 7 March 2018

Wednesday, 7 March 2018

Questions (1, 2)

Brendan Howlin

Question:

1. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Taoiseach the supports his Department provides to Independent Ministers of Government and Deputies who support the Government. [9877/18]

View answer

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

2. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the supports provided by his Department to Independent Members of the Government and Independent Deputies supporting the Government. [11222/18]

View answer

Oral answers (32 contributions)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 and 2 together.

My Department, as outlined in the strategy statement, provides support services for the Taoiseach and the Government, including the Independent members of Government, through the Government secretariat, the parliamentary liaison unit, the programme for Government office and the Cabinet committee structure to ensure Government business is managed to the highest standards. The business of Government is co-ordinated by the Government secretariat and this includes the preparation of the Cabinet agenda, the circulation of papers and the communication of the Government's decisions to the relevant Ministers and Departments.

The parliamentary liaison unit was established to help ensure that Ministers and Departments are properly informed of new responsibilities and procedures in the Thirty-second Dáil. The unit provides support to Ministers and their Departments on Oireachtas matters, with a particular emphasis on assisting Departments with Private Members' business. In performing this function the unit liaises on a regular basis with advisers to the Independent members of Government to ensure they are informed of Oireachtas issues and to assist them in engaging with the new processes arising from Dáil reform. In this regard the parliamentary liaison unit provides detailed information on upcoming matters in the Dáil and Seanad and highlights any new Oireachtas reform issues.

The programme for Government office provides assistance to the Government in delivering on its ambitious programme of work through monitoring the implementation of the commitments contained in the programme for Government across all Departments. The office prepares progress reports and an annual report setting out progress made across all of government in implementing the commitments in the programme.

The Cabinet committee system, which is an important part of the machinery of the Government and a core part of the work of the Department, provides a whole of government co-ordinated approach to issues as necessary. The scope of the Cabinet committee system encompasses the Government's national priorities and the challenges Ireland faces in the coming years. The Government press secretary acts as a spokesperson for the Taoiseach and the Government and is supported by the press office in his role of co-ordinating the media relations of all Departments. The deputy press secretary, who is also based in my Department, is tasked with co-ordinating communications for all the Independents in the Government. My Department continues to adapt and strengthen these supports to ensure they are fully responsive to the requirements arising from Dáil reform and to support effective minority Government arrangements.

The arrangements outlined were put in place by the Taoiseach's predecessor. Has he reviewed them since coming into office? He mentioned adaptation but has he made any changes since becoming Taoiseach? What Independent Deputies are currently being supported by the parliamentary liaison unit? What specifically are the supports being given to those identified Deputies? Were Independent Deputies briefed or did they have input into the Project Ireland 2040 plan before it was finalised? I know an Independent Minister of State, Deputy Moran, was able to have Athlone designated as "capital of the midlands". I wonder were any other commitments made either to Independent Ministers, Ministers of State or supporters of the Government.

I am interested in the response to the question about Project Ireland 2040 and interactions between the Taoiseach and Independent Deputies. The Government is supported by a number of Independent Deputies and there are a number of Independent Ministers and Ministers of State. The Minister of State's job at the Office of Public Works seems to have been divvied up by the toss of a coin between Deputies Moran and Canney when the Government was formed. Will the Taoiseach confirm if they will again switch places-----

-----or rotate later this year? Will the Taoiseach enlighten us with respect to the coalition arrangement with the very independent-minded Fianna Fáil? We are told this has a lifespan ending some time after the next budget. The Fianna Fáil leader, Deputy Micheál Martin, said last month that any review of this deal would only happen after the budget but I recall that before Christmas, the Taoiseach told The Irish Times that he wanted a review of the confidence and supply deal to happen in advance of the budgetary process. They cannot both be right. Will the Taoisach clarify the position for the review of the coalition arrangement with Fianna Fáil?

This is a good point for Deputy Martin to come in.

He could give an answer as well.

One of the clearest lessons from recent events is that the Taoiseach has, at best, a very limited commitment to transparency. He is willing to blame others and play the victim when anybody has the temerity to challenge him.

The people have seen a Government that has become obsessed with managing image. What is particularly striking is that members of the Government have felt the need to speak up. Last week, two Independent members of Cabinet made it known that they were deeply unhappy with the branding and marketing work commissioned under the Taoiseach's authority. While the Taoiseach has not attacked them in the same way as he has attacked journalists and Opposition Deputies who have had the cheek to question him, it is at best surprising that he was out of touch with their feelings. Can the Taoiseach tell us why two Independent members of Government felt the need to publicly criticise the workings of the strategic communications unit established by him? Obviously, the Minister, Deputy Ross, and Minister of State, Deputy Moran, were happy with the coverage delivered for them, with Minister of State, Deputy Moran, particularly pleased with State funding delivering a large article in his local newspaper calling him "king of the midlands". Can the Taoiseach also tell us why it is that Independent Ministers believe they are being treated differently in this regard?

On the first question, I have not reviewed any of these arrangements that exist in the Department. They seem to be working well and I have had no specific complaints from Independents as to how they operate. Independent Deputies will from time to time contact the unit about issues they may have, almost always relating to their constituencies. It is in many ways a path finding service such that they know who is the right person to speak to in the line Minister's office in terms of getting answers. That is generally how it works or, at least, to the best of my knowledge that is how it works.

In regard to Project Ireland 2040, the Minister of State, Deputy Canney, was consulted and engaged with on the plan. He is a member of the Independent Alliance and he is also assistant Whip for the Government and so it makes sense that he would be consulted on the plan. I am not aware of any Independent other than those who are Ministers being involved in drawing up the plan but it is possible that they engaged directly with the Minister for Finance, Deputy Donohoe, and the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, Deputy Murphy, as would be the normal course of events as they as Ministers, and their Departments, were the main authors of the plan. Also, the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Deputy Naughten, has a particular role in keeping in touch with the rural Independents, which he does periodically, and so it is quite possible that there is engagement through those routes but not through me.

For clarity, I should point out that Project Ireland 2040 does not designate any new capitals or monarchs in our country but it does designate a regional centre for growth in the midlands, which is Athlone, and another in Sligo for the north west and also recognises the M1 growth corridor, involving Dundalk, Drogheda and development of the Newry-Dublin Airport and Swords corridor. I do not believe or accept that I attacked anyone. I will stand up to anyone who makes allegations that are not based on fact or evidence. I will always do that. It is the right thing to do.

In regard to the different perspectives of the Independents and how they think, it is not possible for me to speak for them. I am sure they can speak for themselves.

Does the Taoiseach have a list of the Independents that are being supported by the liaison unit?

The Taoiseach can come back to me on it.

There is no list. Those involved are the Independents who take the Government Whip, and Deputy Harty.

Does that mean the rural Independents take the Whip?

No, and nor does Deputy Harty.

The Taoiseach might send us the list.

There is no list.

The Taoiseach did not respond to my question on the Government's confidence and supply arrangement with Fianna Fáil.

I missed the question.

The Taoiseach did not miss it.

I did. It is hard to write down questions and listen at the same time. Perhaps the Deputy would repeat it.

There are a few minutes remaining in respect of this question so the Deputy make ask a brief supplementary.

Would Deputy Howlin like to ask a supplementary question?

I will allow Deputy McDonald to go first.

I thank the prince of Wexford for his graciousness.

I would not have thought that Deputy McDonald is a monarchist.

I am absolutely not. The Ceann Comhairle will note that I am not ascribing any monarchical title to myself.

I put it to the Taoiseach earlier that there has been a difference of opinion between himself and Deputy Micheál Martin with regard to the review of the confidence and supply agreement. If I understood him correctly, Deputy Martin said that could only happen after the next budget but the Taoiseach said that it should happen prior to the next budget. I have made the point that the Taoiseach and Deputy Martin cannot both be right. Perhaps the Taoiseach would enlighten me as to when that review is to happen, what it might consist of and if there has been a meeting of minds between Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil on this matter.

As I am sure Deputy Martin will confirm, we have not yet discussed the matter, but we will do so at some point. When we do, the Deputy will be the first to know.

There is a very clear provision in the confidence and supply agreement which covers the issue.

Deputy Martin might send a copy of it to Deputies Howlin and McDonald.

I am sure they already have a copy of it and that it is being perused every day.

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