Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I have a number of questions for the Taoiseach. The Government has decided that the VHI should be sold. This will require European approval in respect of recapitalisation and a community weighting system. Is the Government engaged in preparatory work to connect with the Europe in this regard?

During the course of his speech on the setting up of NAMA, the Minister for Finance, Deputy Lenihan, said the Government would introduce legislation on banking resolution, legislation that would give the ability to wind down a bank. What is the position on that?

It is fair to say that over the years the Committee of Public Accounts has been recognised as being one of the foremost committees of the Dáil. It has always been commended for its non-partisan examination of Government expenditure in the interests of seeking efficiency and value for money. The Chairman of the committee, Deputy Bernard Allen, has pointed out that under its current structure, the committee is strangled and powerless, unable to do the work it wants to do. The Government has said, and it is indicated by the absence again of the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy John Gormley, that the Comptroller and Auditor General would be enabled to carry out an audit in respect of activities at the Dublin Docklands Development Authority, to be followed by an examination by the Committee of Public Accounts. The Chairman of the committee has pointed out that the committee has less authority than a citizen in respect of the Freedom of Information Act and the Data Protection Act. In the light of the Chairman's comment and given the impartiality of the committee and its record over the years, I ask the Taoiseach whether the Government is giving any consideration to amending the Freedom of Information Act 1997-2003 and an exemption from the Data Protection Act 1988-2003? In other words to give the Committee of Public Accounts the opportunity and capacity to do its work as the Oireachtas originally envisaged.

According to the renewed programme for Government it is the intention of the Government to seek the approval of the Oireachtas to amend Article 41.2 of the Constitution, namely, to broaden the reference "woman in the home" to the important "parent in the home". Has any work been done on giving effect to that commitment in the programme for Government?

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