Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)

Deputy Treacy is a Minister of State in addition to Deputy Kitt. Given that we had a discussion last week on the fate of, or lack of a future for, the European treaty as it stands, will the Taoiseach state whether the Minister of State, Deputy Treacy, who has responsibility for European affairs, is to have his role amended in any way given that he would have been appointed with a referendum on the treaty in mind? Will there be a reallocation of duties?

Will the Taoiseach indicate whether the level of expenses for his two Ministers of State, Deputies Treacy and Kitt, has changed compared with the levels of last year or the preceding year? Is there a pattern or will the level remain the same? Does he have a view on the proposals of the Minister of State, Deputy Kitt, to allow the public to make submissions on legislation while it is going through the House? This is facilitated in the Scottish Parliament via the Internet. Has progress been made in this regard?

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