Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The programme published on 11 May, which contains in excess of 600 commitments, was drawn up between the Fine Gael Party and members of the Rural Alliance, the Independent Alliance and other Independents. It is available for everybody to see. I have no knowledge of understandings, written agreements or commitments other than those published. No Minister or Minister of State in government has indicated to me that he or she has an agreement with any Member or Members of the House.

As I said, the programme for Government has been published and was debated here for many hours. In that regard a specific issue arose in respect of Waterford hospital. The Minister of State, Deputy Halligan, wrote a letter about that, which was published on the merrionstreet.iewebsite. As Deputy Kelly is well aware from his experience in government, regardless of how much one tries to put into a programme for Government, other issues arise day to day or over time that are never contemplated by a programme for Government. As happened during the years in office of the previous Government, of which Deputy Kelly, former Tánaiste, Deputy Joan Burton, and Deputy Howlin were members, there were many issues that were never referred to in the programme for Government that had to be dealt with.

In so far as the Deputy's question is concerned, the programme has been published; that is it. There was one other the letter in respect of Waterford hospital and the Minister of State, Deputy Halligan. As new challenges and problems arise, the Government will have to make decisions about them. In so far as written documentation on understandings are concerned, I do not know of any.

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