Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

During the period 2000 to 2006, there were nine Cabinet meetings held outside of Dublin and during the Presidency in 2004, a number of meetings were held in Farmleigh. Other meetings were held in Farmleigh between June 2002 and July 2010.

In the context of Dáil reform, I would not object to having a number of meetings outside of Dublin but the focus of the Government at present is on the three principal areas of dealing with the banks, dealing with the employment situation and dealing with focusing on the budget deficit issues. For the moment, my intention is that Cabinet meetings will continue to be held here in Dublin. I am not adverse to having a number of meetings outside of Dublin but I will probably wait until next year before considering that.

In respect of holding Cabinet meetings on Mondays, there is a matter of practicality and convenience here. The Dáil will be sitting for longer periods from September on and it might be appropriate to consider what best we do. There will be longer Dáil sittings and Tuesdays have been particularly convenient for most members over the years.

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