Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

It is a good job that not all Deputies are present or the Taoiseach would be asked for his biscuit allocation for the year. I note that the revised voted funding allocation to the strategic communications unit, SCU, for this year has been reduced by €2.5 million to a sum of €2.25 million. I understand that €2.2 million of that sum had already been spent. Is there no money left for a residual communications unit? I understood that it would carry on in some shape or form but there is no budget allocation balancing for any of it. Is that what the Taoiseach is telling us?

What is the status of the proposed market research that we have asked about on a couple of occasions? The Taoiseach's previous reply was that he would continue with that but only after consultation with party leaders in the House. Is that continuing and when will it take place? This is the third time I have asked this during Questions to the Taoiseach.

When does the Taoiseach expect the new national digital strategy to be published? That is an extremely important issue and it is timely that we debate it. The Taoiseach said in his statement to the Oireachtas Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure, Reform and Taoiseach that the successful organisation of the forthcoming papal visit is a significant objective of his Department. As the papal visit approaches, what specifically will the Department do to support the visit in terms of money, resources and how does he see that panning out?

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