Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Previously, the Taoiseach stated that Cabinet sub-committees were a method of timelining and forcing conclusions on issues that had existed for a long time. In defence of these committees today, he asserted they made for more effective government. Obviously, we could not object to sub-committees as a means to that end, but having competent members on them should be a prerequisite.

The Taoiseach has stated that the purpose of the committees is to ensure priorities are addressed, but I will raise three recent issues. The Government would not listen to what Deputies were saying about medical cards or about the scandals in the justice area which led to the resignation of the Garda Commissioner and the Minister for Justice and Equality. The Government guillotined debate on water charges and forced the legislation through, leading to an unprecedented walkout by Opposition parties and Independent Deputies. How have these committees brought about what the Taoiseach claims they have brought about, namely, more effective Government?

Mr. Frank Flannery, a senior strategist for the Taoiseach's party, has castigated the Government's performance. The former Minister of State, Deputy O'Dowd, has said he discussed with the Taoiseach the issues about which he had concerns but that he could not get them sorted. As we have just been reminded, the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy White, stated at the weekend that the Government should get rid of the EMC. If the test is not the number of meetings held but the initiatives resulting, the solutions found or the way committees have crunched down, so to speak, does the Taoiseach not agree that the Government and, therefore, its approach have failed miserably to address issues?

See this speech in context