Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Táim buíoch den Taoiseach as a fhreagra. He obviously believes the system of Cabinet sub-committees is an important structure to help to develop policy and give political direction to the Departments involved. I can see why that is the case. I myself believe that a core group or a focused approach by those who know the ins and outs of the particular issue at hand could help to drive policy. Is that the record, however, and is that how it has worked out?

I am very taken by this notion of the health committee. In the last days of the previous Government, the money which we were told was ring-fenced for the mental health budget was taken away. I know it has been restored and I welcome that, but it was actually taken away then.

Where was the health committee dealing with this issue? The then Minister of State, former Deputy Kathleen Lynch, railed against it, but it was still taken away from the people who deserve even more in terms of resources, structure and policy direction. Here is the rub: the Taoiseach uses Cabinet confidentiality to not answer my question about that. Was that issue discussed at the health sub-committee? Did it take the decision? Who took the decision? Was it the Cabinet? That is a very serious, recent and timely example of the track record of one of those committees.

I also take issue with the Taoiseach railing eloquently against those who he says have said that the arts are in decline. I never heard anybody who is interested in the arts say that. The arts are not in decline. The issue is that they are not given the required priority, funding or resources in terms of Government and public policy. That is the rub. It is no accident - I applaud this and get great enjoyment from it, as do most people - that when we wish to showcase the Centenary celebrations or anything else about this island, we do so artistically. We involve our best creative and visual artists, singers, songwriters and musicians. The Taoiseach frequently draws on some of our great poets. In flights of fancy he will draw on sections from our literature or drama. We all try to do it in a way, because that is part of what we are and part of our expression. As the arts bring enjoyment, uplift people and let people live in their imagination, they should be supported. There is a need for a dedicated Minister, even a Minister of State, to have that responsibility.

The arts are also an economic driver across a range of areas. The vast majority of people do not visit this country to look at great factories or the signs of industrialisation that might exist. Some people might come here to look at farms or agriculture, but most people come to this country to look at heritage or historical sites. When they want a night out they go to the theatre, a book reading, a ballad session or a concert. All of that can drive the economy and generate a real return. I must declare an interest as I am a voluntary director of Féile an Phobail, which has uplifted the people of west Belfast both in terms of the creative genius of those people and also in terms of outreach to people of different views across Belfast. It also provides a platform whereby artists can come into the community and engage with it. Many young people from west Belfast are now earning a living through the arts. There is no point in the Taoiseach being dismissive of our concerns. The real concern is that the Government is not giving the arts or heritage the type of priority and importance they deserve.

In the context of trying to ascertain the detail of what takes place in these sub-committees, does the Government intend to retain the use of Cabinet confidentiality? There is a big difference in how often Cabinet sub-committees meet. The Taoiseach told us several years ago that when he became Taoiseach he found that Cabinet sub-committees used to meet on an irregular basis, so he decided to allocate one day per month exclusively for Cabinet sub-committees. Is it his intention to continue that practice? I can understand that a sub-committee with responsibility for dealing with an emergency situation might need to meet more often. However, the Cabinet sub-committee on Irish and the Gaeltacht met on only two occasions in the first six months of 2014. The Taoiseach is i bhfad níos líofa ná mise and has a fluidity in Irish that I admire. Given that he is a fíor-Ghaeilgeoir, I cannot understand why the Government is not more active on the Irish language issue and, in particular, on the economic regeneration of Gaeltacht communities, which are the cultural well of our language.

Does the Taoiseach intend to continue the practice of devoting one day per month to the Cabinet sub-committees and will he respond to the other issues I have raised, particularly relating to the work of the outgoing health committee, which presumably allowed, or was not consulted on, the removal of money that was ring-fenced for mental health services?

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