Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)

There is one heading that briefly deals with Northern Ireland in so far as it applies to the Taoiseach's Department. To what does the heading, value for money on policy reviews, refer? It was not provided for last year but received €26,000 this year. How does that coincide with value for money? Funding for the information society, e-Cabinet and other initiatives has been reduced by 48%. Does that mean it is finished or that there is less focus on it?

One aspect discussed at the Forum for Peace and Reconciliation was the need to move beyond the main political parties and establish a civic forum. Hopefully, with the Assembly elections in the offing, we can reach that point in dealing with wider society. Does this fall under the remit of the Forum for Peace and Reconciliation and is it provided for in the Estimates?

I note in the Oireachtas buildings that recycled paper is no longer provided for photocopying. Is that a directive from on high? Does the Taoiseach endorse this? Leadership from the Department of the Taoiseach would be critical if we were to have the market for recycled products which we claim we want in the House.

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