Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 4: To ask the Taoiseach the nature of the agreement between the Government and a Deputy (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30635/09]

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 5: To ask the Taoiseach the nature of the agreement between the Government and a Deputy (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30636/09]

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 6: To ask the Taoiseach the arrangements in place in his office for providing special assistance for certain Independent Members of Dáil Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30637/09]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 7: To ask the Taoiseach the nature of the arrangement in his Department for providing special assistance for certain Independent Deputies supporting the Government; the Deputies benefitting from this arrangement; the estimated cost of the service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41722/09]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 4 to 7, inclusive, together.

These are political agreements that my predecessor entered into as leader of the Fianna Fáil Party with individual Independent Deputies. On becoming leader of Fianna Fáil, I confirmed to the Deputies concerned that I would continue to implement these agreements. The House is aware that such arrangements have been in place for more than 12 years. The agreements are confidential but they are, as always, based on the programme for Government which incorporates the national development plan, approved Government programmes and annual Estimates for capital and current expenditure. I have continued the practice whereby a staff member in my office assists the Government Chief Whip's office in its work in liaising with the Deputies concerned. This official meets the Deputies on a regular basis and arranges to keep them briefed on issues as they arise. The official dealing with them is an assistant principal officer and assists the Chief Whip in this matter.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

This is the sort of nonsense that goes on here. We are all into accountability and transparency and holding the Government to account, yet we are asked to believe in 2009 the sovereign Government of Ireland has a secret deal with a number of Independent Deputies. I would like the Taoiseach to clear this up once and for all. Is there an unpublished deal between the Government and Deputies Lowry and Healy-Rae about which nobody else knows except members of an elite corps of the Government and the Deputies involved? When Deputy Flynn was on the Independent benches, the story was another deal had been done between the Taoiseach's predecessor and the good Deputy. This issue was raised with me recently. Is there a deal between the Government and Deputy Flynn? I would like a "Yes" or "No" answer to that question.

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I do not know what the dynamics of politics in County Mayo are but every member of the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party supports the Government in office unconditionally and without question.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Therefore, none of them is more equal than others.

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

That would never be the case in this party. It is an old republican principle we have practised for a long time.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

What about the other two Deputies?

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

That is a political agreement. The Deputy will have found that when one is trying to secure a majority on a county council or coming into a new Dáil and one has not had a chance to form a Government, political agreements are reached. These agreements are based on the programme for Government, on which basis the support of the Deputies is available to the Government. That has been the arrangement all of the time.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Taoiseach has said the agreements with the Independent Deputies are based on the programme for Government which was revised recently. Were they revised in line with the revision of the programme for Government? To which Deputies do the agreements now apply? Did members of the McCarthy group have access to the agreements? Did they give consideration to their contents in their review of expenditure in the public sector?

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

No, they were not asked to second guess political agreements between parties. That would be an unusual precedent to set, as the Deputy will be aware. The agreements, which continue, were put in place on the formation of the Government in 2007. Deputies Lowry and Healy-Rae have those understandings which we will seek to honour in mutually supportive fashion.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Taoiseach said the agreements were entered into in 2007. My recollection is that the agreements entered into in 2007 concerned four Deputies. These were Deputies Jackie Healy-Rae, Michael Lowry, Finian McGrath and Beverly Flynn. With which Deputies is there a current agreement? Do the agreements cover any matter of public expenditure?

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I have just outlined that Deputies Lowry and Healy-Rae, who support the Government, have an agreement with it. There was an agreement with Deputy Finian McGrath relevant to his support of the Government. He withdrew support for the Government and therefore no arrangements arise. The matter depends on support for the Government and this is usually the way it works. The day a Deputy withdraws support for a government, he or she will find there will be no support from it.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Does the agreement with Deputy Lowry in any way cover the recent announcement he made in respect of the establishment of some type of a casino development in Tipperary?

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I do not get into the details of these agreements but that issue post-dates any agreement made at the time.

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Does the Taoiseach intend to enact any new legislation to provide for casinos to facilitate the project announced by Deputy Lowry?

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The matter should be addressed to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Taoiseach did not reply to one part of my earlier question. I asked him if the agreements covered any aspect of public expenditure and I do not recall him replying to it.

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Any political agreements are subject to understandings about various policy matters which the Government is prepared to proceed with and which have the support and agreement of any Deputy supporting the Government. This is about people representing their areas in respect of Government policy. At the time the Government was formed, it was possible to enter into political agreements with those Deputies consistent with the Government's objectives.