Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Question 1: To ask the Taoiseach if he will make a statement on the Estimate for his Department for 2006. [36142/05]

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 2: To ask the Taoiseach his Department's Estimate for 2006; the way in which it differs from his Estimate for 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37776/05]

Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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Question 3: To ask the Taoiseach if he will make a statement on his Department's 2006 Estimates. [37987/05]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 4: To ask the Taoiseach if he will make a statement on the 2006 Estimates for his Department. [38704/05]

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 4, inclusive, together.

The total allocation for my Department for 2006 is €37.498 million. This is a decrease of 4% —€1.467 million — on the 2005 Revised Estimates allocation. Details of the Estimates are set out in the Abridged Estimates for the public service, which were presented to the Dáil on 17 November 2005.

I look forward to addressing specific issues relating to the Estimates provisions when they are considered in the usual way by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Finance and the Public Service. I also look forward to responding to questions which Deputies may wish to table separately on specific aspects of the work of my Department.

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Will the Taoiseach explain why the provision for commemorative initiatives has doubled for next year? Will he also say why the provision for consultancies in his Department has diminished somewhat? What is the provision for the independent commission of inquiry? Is that the Paddy MacEntee inquiry? Will he explain the heading "e-inclusion" to the House?

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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Consultancy fees are reduced because the e-Cabinet project has effectively been completed. The consultancies were related to work on that project. There are several applications under the e-inclusion scheme which is for elderly and disabled people, and organisations to get grants to help them use information technology. The Minister of State in my Department, Deputy Kitt, administers that scheme.

The overall consultancy service subhead shows a decrease of approximately 10%. It is planned to use consultancy services next year in a small number of projects. The total allocation of €243,000 is considered prudent in order to meet the requirements for the use of consulting services which may arise during the year. There are no big projects now that the e-Cabinet project is over. The MacEntee commission has sought the extension, to meet the cost of winding up the inquiry into the Dublin-Monaghan bombings, to the end of March 2006 and it should be finished during the year.

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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I am not sure why this commission of investigation comes under the Taoiseach's Department. Will the Taoiseach explain the increased provision for the Science Olympiad? I thought the knowledge of the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Martin, and his Department would be more appropriate to this area.

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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That was a once-off grant to support the Science Olympiad project held in Trinity College Dublin in 2005. It was an international conference that brought together an enormous number of scientists. As there was no suitable subhead, it was to assist in giving the project a grant. It will not occur again.

On the commemorative initiatives, these are the usual annual commemoration grants given for the 400 year celebration of particular events and the like. However, I am not sure which ones were given grants.

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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What about the commission of investigation?

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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The commission of investigation subhead——

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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It is headed by Sherlock Holmes.

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Is the Taoiseach sending the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Dermot Ahern, abroad again?

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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He would be investigating something useful.

Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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It is not investigating the Centre for Public Inquiry.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The Minister is probably writing internal reports.

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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I will have to get back to the Deputies on this subhead as I do not have the material at hand.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The Taoiseach can send it by FedEx.

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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What is the actual subhead letter?

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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It is subhead Q.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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"Q" as in James Bond.

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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I am only concerned to know what it is as it is not a significant amount of money.

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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The independent commission of inquiry was the MacEntee commission. However, I cannot recall the full details. I will have to come back to the Deputy on it.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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This must be the first time in a long time the Taoiseach has not had an answer on an issue.

Regarding subhead N, the Newfoundland and Labrador business partnership, I know there has been a relationship between Ireland and there for some time. The subhead amounts to €337,000. What are the proposed initiatives in 2006 for the partnership?

I note the names of Messrs. C. J. Haughey and M. Lowry under heading J with a figure for €9.07 million. Does the Taoiseach expect the Moriarty tribunal to be wound up and, if so, will he give an indication of when it will be? Subhead R refers to the task force on active citizenship. The Taoiseach had his guru from America visit to discuss the issue and he has often referred to it as social capital. While there is no increase in funding for the task force in 2006, there are leaders in every townland and parish willing to participate in this important and critical activity. What programme is envisaged for the task force in 2006?

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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The task force is only beginning its work. In the social capital area, the community aspect of the arts grant has seen an 18% increase to reflect much of the good work being done in different areas. The active citizenship task force will make its recommendations and supports. I believe it will support community initiatives and activities through local community work. While most of these resources will not come from my Department, we have provided for several other grants.

The increased provision for the commemorative initiatives subhead is to cover the 1916 Rising commemoration and the James Hoban initiative, which was the only sizeable grant.

The Newfoundland and Labrador business partnership was instigated by the EU ambassador, Mr. John Bruton. I had the opportunity of visiting the partnership's office this year. It has moved from a cultural aspect into bursaries, scholarships and businesses. There are quite a number of Irish business people doing business with Labrador. Like many of these initiatives, it has taken several years to get running. Although it only has a small staff, it has made good headway and is moving into the economic sphere.

We have provided for the Moriarty tribunal this year, which should be the end year. The figures provide for publication of the tribunal's reports. It is due to be finished mid-year and I hope that will be the end of it. The Haughey-Lowry and the Dunnes Stores provisions include fees that were not claimed. We hope that 2006 will see the end of them as subheads in the Estimates.

Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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Is there an explanation for the decrease of 67% in the Estimate for the information society, e-Cabinet and other initiatives, as it is larger than most decreases? I note an increase again this year for the provision for the National Forum on Europe. This decision was made at a time when a referendum was anticipated. Given that there will not be a referendum on Europe, is this increase a sign of denial of this or will the Estimate stand or be revised?

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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The provision of €1.49 million is included to fund the continuation of the forum as an arena for bringing matters on European debates to the public's attention. One way or the other, whether a referendum is held, that provision is available for the work of the forum for the year.

The funding for the e-Cabinet project reflects the funding estimated in respect of the completion of its work. The additional work on the project has effectively been completed. A number of grants are available for e-inclusion. The money mainly goes to community organisations, particularly for the elderly and disabled, which may apply for grants. There may not be a huge number of grants, perhaps about 100 each year, but they are given out to these groups in small amounts to help them in the ICT area. This dates back to when the Information Society Commission was part of the Department. When it completed its mandate this programme was maintained as a useful way to give groups grants towards their work during the year.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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A sum of €50,000 has been allocated for the National Forum on Peace and Reconciliation. What is the purpose of this allocation? Does the Taoiseach not consider it appropriate that the body be wound up because we are long past the time for the establishment of the all-Ireland civic forum provided for under the Good Friday Agreement? Will the Taoiseach clarify his intent in this regard?

Regarding the national centre for partnership and performance, which is to receive an 88% increase in funding, will the Taoiseach indicate what is the purpose of these moneys?

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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The allocation for the Forum on Peace and Reconciliation is purely in case a need arises and the money has been carried forward. We do not envisage such a need arising and the small amount of money is regarded as a provision should it become necessary. It is being held over until, I hope, we get the institutions up and functioning in 2006, when we would definitely see an end to the forum.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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What is the position regarding the all-Ireland civic forum?

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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I would certainly like to see us move towards a proper civic forum, as put forward in the Good Friday Agreement, as soon as possible.

On the National Economic and Social Development Office, NESDO, the published Estimates for 2006 show an estimated allocation of €1.96 million, which represents a significant increase of 88% on the previous allocation. The Estimate is intended to reflect the significant agenda of the body and the importance of its work in promoting greater participation and innovation in the workplace, including development and implementation of the national workplace strategy. The forum on the workplace has issued its reports and it is for implementing these that the funding will be available. The resources for this were spelt out last year so this allocation is to allow the work of the forum on the workplace to be carried out during the year.