Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

In the Taoiseach's main reply, he stated it was the responsibility of the individual Minister to oversee the implementation of specific commitments in the programme for Government. Has the Taoiseach seen any situation arising across his Department's areas of responsibility where commitments in the programme for Government have been diluted, torn up or shredded by other agencies entrusted to carry out the commitments made by his Department in that programme? To illustrate the point, I instanced the commitment under the health portfolio to create 3,000 additional public hospital beds. Professor Drumm of the HSE has stated that these are not needed and will not be pursued. Has the Taoiseach seen that situation apply under his Department's aegis? What will the Taoiseach do about the specific instance I have cited?

As it falls to the Taoiseach's Department to anchor same, will he advise us why it was decided not to publish an annual progress report on the implementation of the programme for Government this year, as has happened each year since 2002?

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