Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I thank the Taoiseach for his reply in which he indicated that the information has been given to every Minister, they must comply with the procedures and that obviously there is no abuse of facilities or resources. I have heard that before and, unfortunately, there is some explaining to be done.

Last week, the Fianna Fáil press director circulated a number of documents relating to the launch by the Minister for Finance, Deputy Cowen, and the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Martin, of proposed policy in respect of employment and jobs. One of the documents is entitled Keeping Ireland Working: The Next Steps Forward. In examining the electronic version of this document, under the properties and author heading, one can see the author is the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. After hearing the Taoiseach's comments I would like an explanation as to why a political party, which is clearly partisan in its nature, can have election campaign documents authored by using facilities and resources from a Department, for which the taxpayer pays. Departments are supposedly impartial by nature and are funded by the taxpayer.

In advance of this great gladiatorial electoral contest, will the Taoiseach indicate who, within the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, worked on the Fianna Fáil document and which State facilities were used to produce it? Does the Taoiseach think it right and proper for a Department to be used in this fashion, particularly as these rules were circulated to all Ministers? Are any other Fianna Fáil propaganda exercises being created by Departments and funded by the taxpayer?

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