Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

An inquiry previously took place into the current Minister for Arts, Sports and Tourism, Deputy Cullen, and allegations regarding the awarding of contracts within one of the Departments in which he formerly served. Following this inquiry, a new system was put in place for new Ministers and Ministers of State that any public relations or other contracts would have to be approved by the Department of the Taoiseach.

The Taoiseach recently appointed some new Ministers and Ministers of State. Have any changes been introduced in respect of public relations contracts since those appointments were made? Have new Ministers or Ministers of State made inquiries about this matter with the Taoiseach in line with the recommendations of the inquiry to which I refer regarding how any new contracts might be awarded?

It appears the Government will be spending €35 million in two areas over a period. Some €15 million will be spent on matters relating to climate change, while a further €20 million — €3 million of it this year — will be spent during the period of Transport 21.

I do not know how the Taoiseach feels but for me there are very few things as frustrating as sitting at traffic lights which turn green three times without the traffic moving, yet there are 40 ft. by 80 ft. billboards indicating the Government is spending €34 billion on Transport 21. That €20 million on public relations about Transport 21 will not build one extra school where people have been waiting 15 years in some cases. It will not provide an extra bed or ameliorate any traffic jam at street corners.

The Taoiseach is now in charge of the country, having previously been in charge of the Department of Finance, and he must tighten up on this. Is there a need to spend €20 million telling the people that the Government expects to spend €34 billion on Transport 21 when people are sitting in traffic, frustrated and giving out? It would be far better to use that money on the relief of blockages in the health or education systems.

There is little point in having 40 ft. by 80 ft. billboards indicating spending of €34 billion when a person is stuck at the Red Cow roundabout, or elsewhere, with the traffic lights going green three times without traffic moving. There would be a strong measure of cross-party support for cutting down seriously on what is an obscene waste of money in many respects. Telling the people about spending €34 billion through huge billboards and other media campaigns while they are not moving in traffic does not seem to be good value for the taxpayers' money.

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