Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

Does the Taoiseach agree that any agreement involving public administration or the expenditure of public money can not be described as private or personal? If the Taoiseach has an agreement with the Independent Deputies, does he accept he has a duty to place copies of such an agreement in the Oireachtas Library? There is a strong belief in this Chamber, and not for any idle reasons, that the fact Deputy Healy-Rae has been appointed Chairman of an Oireachtas committee is another element in an agreement that he reached with the Taoiseach, which he describes as private and personal. Was there an understanding or agreement between the Deputy and the Taoiseach that he would be appointed as the Chair of a committee?

The Taoiseach has been careful in his references to costs. He stated there will be no additional cost to the taxpayer in dealing with these Deputies. However, I believe that there is a cost which probably entails the movement of funding from one area to another. This can be to fast-track particular projects, or to ensure funding is available for specific undertakings and other areas, therefore, suffer as a consequence. If there is no additional cost to the taxpayer, can the Taoiseach assure the House there is no movement of funding from one area to another in order to accommodate the specific demands by these Deputies? As a result of the concerns expressed here, does he accept this issue requires absolute transparency? Does he agree it is unfair on the poor Ceann Comhairle that a Deputy in his constituency will claim responsibility for the delivery of every positive project and development taking place there?

We need to know the truth. It should be exposed and it is the responsibility of the Taoiseach to do so.

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