Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 and 2 together.

Before taking the questions, having conducted ordinary Taoiseach's questions, as they are called, from the far side for so long, I made the point on many occasions that perhaps we should drop one of these on a Tuesday or Wednesday and insert topical issues or whatever else as part of Dáil reform. When Deputies begin to look at this, perhaps we could consider these things. As Deputy Martin knows, these questions come around on a very regular basis.

The programme for Government sets out the measures this Government intends to take to tackle the many and varied challenges facing the country. The programme's objectives are underpinned by the mandate of the people. It will be the responsibility of each Minister to progress those actions and initiatives that fall within his or her Department's area in order to achieve the implementation of the programme.

It is my responsibility as Taoiseach, working closely with the Tánaiste, to lead the process of reform which is at the heart of the programme. I will be reviewing progress on a regular basis with each Minister. Through the Government economic management council, I will be working with the Tánaiste and the Ministers for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform to ensure that our economic policy agenda, in particular, is implemented with pace and consistency.

The primary role of the Department of the Taoiseach is to support me in my role as Head of Government and to support the Government through the Cabinet process. Accordingly, the Department will be supporting the implementation of the programme as a whole and it will do this with a more explicit focus on its role as a Cabinet office. The procedures to reflect the new focus are being developed and will be announced shortly. However, it is not my intention that the Department will exercise executive functions with regard to the programme for Government generally. My Department will have specific responsibility in supporting the Chief Whip in advancing the programme's proposals for Dáil reform and setting in train the necessary legislation for a referendum to abolish the Seanad.

See this speech in context