Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 11 to 13, inclusive, together. The programme for Government was adopted by the Government at its first meeting as the framework for its work over the coming years. It sets out the policies and initiatives to be progressed over the term of the Government to tackle the many challenges facing the country. My 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. Whereas my Department co-ordinates policy in a number of ways, responsibility for implementing specific aspects of the programme rests with the relevant Department. The priority for implementation rests in the first instance with each Minister having regard to the programme and to the matrix of priorities and responsibilities that exist within and across each portfolio.

It is my intention, once the first 100 days has been completed, to give a detailed report of the progress made to date under the programme for Government. It should be noted that the Government has already made substantial progress across a number of Departments in meeting its commitments under the programme.

For example, the quarterly review mission under the EU-IMF programme of financial support for Ireland has been successfully concluded. The mission assessed the programme to be on track and that the targets in the programme have been met, and there was agreement to changes to reflect provisions in the programme for Government. Following completion of the solvency stress tests, decisions on the recapitalisation of financial institutions have been made and a comprehensive strategy to reorganise and reform the domestic Irish banks has been adopted. An integrated decision-making structure for dealing with the financial crisis in the shape of the Government economic management committee has been established.

The Nyberg report has been published and the Government has committed to holding a referendum before the end of the year to strengthen the powers of committees to inquire into crucial issues of public concern, such as the banking crisis. Ministerial salaries have been reduced, as has the cost of ministerial transport. Legislation is being prepared on political donations and to enable the number of Deputies to be reduced. The number of Dáil sitting days has been increased through sitting during St. Patrick's week and on Tuesdays following public holidays, and shortening the Easter and summer breaks. A comprehensive spending review has been initiated, the jobs initiative has been announced and the top level appointments committee is being revised so that its chairperson and the majority of its members are drawn from outside the public sector. There will be a more comprehensive report once we reach 100 days in office.

See this speech in context