Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 1: To ask the Taoiseach the total expenditure by his Department since January 2005; the way in which this figure compares with that provided in the Estimates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24241/05]

Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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Question 2: To ask the Taoiseach the expenditure to date by his Department in 2005; the way in which this compares with the Estimates for 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30208/05]

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 and 2 together.

Expenditure by my Department from January 2005 to the end of September 2005 was €19.845 million compared with a total Estimates provision for the year of €38.965 million. While fluctuations in spending occur from month to month and some expenditures do not fall due until the end of the year, I am satisfied that overall spending by my Department for 2005 will remain within the agreed Revised Estimates for the year.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The latest European Commission report and research indicates that half of the people in this country have no opinion at all on the European constitution. Given this worrying statistic and the fact that the report was concluded under the flag of the Irish Presidency of the EU, will the Taoiseach undertake any further funding initiatives to enhance public awareness of the EU constitution? Where does he feel we are in this regard? We spoke before about taking elements of the constitution, named and proposed, that are uncontroversial and can be implemented. What is the Taoiseach's analysis of the next two years as far as the document is concerned? Is it the Taoiseach's intention to keep as high a level of awareness as possible in the public mind about what is happening and where he expects the European process and project to be in two or three years' time?

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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Since we last discussed the issue, the Government has produced the document, which has been well received, setting out the White Paper on the constitution. I hope it is circulated widely. The Department of Foreign Affairs has made it available through all the usual channels, including schools, libraries, public buildings and various organisations. I am aware from third level colleges and other organisations that there has been a good take-up on it, which has been useful. It will be important also for the Forum on Europe, which has been organising a structured debate, not just at their own conferences but for second and third level students in the weeks ahead, which is important. A number of national organisations have prepared various documents. NALA has produced an excellent document on the European project which I saw recently. All these initiatives are to be welcomed.

Some 13 or 14 countries have ratified the constitution, while another few must do so. The situation in France or the Netherlands is unlikely to change for the next two years. I know from my European colleagues that most people believe they should continue with the constitution. While it would be possible to renegotiate it and omit parts of it, it would be very difficult. While the debate will continue for the next few years, eventually 18 or 19 countries will probably ratify it, which will put pressure on the remaining countries, including Ireland. Currently, there is no change in the French position. I note what some of the contenders for the French Presidency are beginning to say. This debate will unfold in the period ahead. The Dutch Government has said it will not return to the issue. There is no other initiative at this stage. It was agreed in June that during the Austrian Presidency next summer, the period of reflection will continue. This is happening in most countries, as is the case here. I attended a debate on the issue in the Seanad last week and the document is now available. Many of the organisations are actively organising seminars and conferences, which is good. Those of us in favour of the European project should promote that.

Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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I, too, want to ask about the national Forum on Europe and the Estimates for the Taoiseach's Department. The Estimate for 2005 was 38% more than the 2004 figure. What were the revised figures following the Estimates in light of the failure of the European constitution to be ratified?

What progress is being made on the task force on active citizenship on the basis of an Estimate in 2005 of €500 million? On consultancy services, the Estimate was that there would be an increase of 77% over the 2004 figure. Is that what happened or was it just a case of allowing a lot of room for manoeuvre? Given that the price of petrol will continue to increase, which he may not have estimated, will the Estimate for the Taoiseach's car require to be revised upwards and will he consider running it on biofuel in the future? At least he will be guaranteed that supply.

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Or Corrib gas.

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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That is a good idea. I will suggest it to my Accounting Officer in order to keep down the cost.

The Forum on Europe is an independent group. The Estimate is based on the forum's budget and the resources it requires. It is not prepared on the basis of what the Department believes is required. We have an input into trying to ensure it is not excessive. In recent years, we tried to make available as much resources as possible to help the forum and to allow it to extend its remits in travelling throughout the country and engaging with second and third level colleges. Their estimate is not one we try unduly to control or curb. We try to assist the forum in every way we can.

I have given the detail on consultancies recently. As I said yesterday, most of the consultancies in the Department are in the social partnership process for various reports being drawn up under Sustaining Progress and in the policy unit of the Information Society Commission.

On the task force on active citizenship, little of that money has been spent. As the task force is just getting up and running, it will be next year before it will have any real expenditure. Most of its work will be done in 2006.

On the Estimate for my car, as the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform has responsibility in this regard, the Deputy should put down a question to that Minister.

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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I will not ask a question about consultancies while the Minister, Deputy Martin, is in the House. I will try to keep the embarrassment to a minimum.

Can I ask the Taoiseach about expenditure compared to the Estimates and the dramatic increase in the cost of the Moriarty tribunal from approximately €3.5 million to €10.5 million in 2005? Will he tell the House what proportion of——

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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Deputy, there are questions coming up on the Moriarty tribunal either later this morning or certainly next Tuesday. The third group of questions to the Taoiseach are on that issue.

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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A Cheann Chomhairle, given my new mood of compliance with every stricture you impose on me, I will not pursue the matter.

Does the Taoiseach know what has been the cost of resort to the courts by third parties? Are they included in that figure or is it just the figure for which the State is liable in terms of lawyers and other costs, or does it include the cost of people going to the High Court frequently and so on?

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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A number of subheads in my Department are currently showing expenditure under profile, including the tribunals. There are fluctuations in spending from month to month in this area. Under subhead K, the Moriarty tribunal, the Estimates allocation made a provision for the possible award of legal costs on completion of the work of the tribunal. That would be whatever the tribunal would deem to be a charge on the Department's subhead. We allocated a fairly large sum of money under the subhead for this year on the basis that it would be completed this year. However, as that will not be the case, the money will be returned to the Exchequer. Some €5 million has been returned already.

We are not yet aware what will be the various costs. We do not know that yet because all we have been doing for the past number of years is carrying a provision for costs. However, we do not know what that will be. I know from the Accounting Officer that the concern is whether the provision we are carrying is large enough if third party costs and so on must be paid by the State. It is a current issue, as we are examining the Estimates for 2006. It is hoped the tribunal will conclude next year and, therefore, the costs related to it will fall due. Clearly, the costs will be very large.