Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)

On a number of occasions the Taoiseach has spoken about the need for open government. Years before he became leader of his party, I remember him speaking and writing about the reform of this institution and I listened and read intently what he was saying.

On this issue of the programme for Government, the two parties in government stood on separate manifestos which made clear commitments and they were elected on those very clear commitments. They then put forward the programme for Government. I think the Taoiseach should consider, well in advance of March, publishing how he sees the implementation of that programme.

Our job is to scrutinise the Government. I do not believe in opposition for the sake of opposition. We should be constructive in how we go about it. We are able to read the programme for Government and then to state the Government promised this but it did that, and it gets into the sort of ping-pong across this Chamber.

Maybe there are reasons the Taoiseach did that. Maybe there are reasons the Taoiseach could not do some of the things he committed to doing. It would be useful and constructive if the Taoiseach said that. On welfare, health and education, he did not do what he promised to do. On his 100th day in government, he said the Government would not raise taxes or cut welfare, but it did so. The political choices of the Government, as opposed to those that might not be possible, are what are marking it out. The poorest, most vulnerable and disadvantaged are bearing the brunt of the austerity measures.

I listened to what the Taoiseach said about bringing this measure forward in March. I appeal to him to do so. A good way to mark the new year may be to come forward with some sort of review of how the programme for Government has been implemented.

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