Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

Why is it necessary to have public servants dealing with particular Independent Deputies? Several of these Deputies have said they have programmes worked out, written agreements or business with the Government. We have never seen these but I assume that just as the national development programme was predicated on a 4% growth increase in the economy these programmes, whatever they are, or however valid or invalid they may be, will have changed also in light of the current financial circumstances.

Has the public servant who deals with these Independent Deputies looked at the programme that was drafted with the Government? Has this changed in the light of changed economic circumstances? Is there any relevance in wasting public time and public money dealing with programmes that have changed utterly, as everything else has changed? Will the Taoiseach comment, from that perspective?

Are these facilities now being extended to the latest acquisition in the Independent ranks, Deputy Behan? Will somebody from the Government Whip's office or a public servant, deal with his new status?

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