Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 4: To ask the Taoiseach the arrangements he has with non-party Deputies who support the Government; if changes to such arrangements were made in advance of budget 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46878/09]

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

Question 5: To ask the Taoiseach the arrangements in place in his Department for providing assistance to certain Independent Members of Dáil Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48410/09]

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

Question 6: To ask the Taoiseach the Deputies with whom special arrangements have been made in return for support for the Government; if changes to these arrangements were made prior to or arising from budget 2010; if such changes have been costed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48421/09]

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

Question 7: To ask the Taoiseach if the agreements between the Government and the Independent Deputies who support the Government were changed in advance of the budget 2010 statement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48425/09]

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

Question 8: To ask the Taoiseach the number of Independent Deputies with whom he has entered into agreements to support the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48426/09]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 4 to 8, inclusive, together.

The agreements referred to are political agreements entered into by my predecessor as leader of the Fianna Fáil Party with individual Independent Deputies - namely, Deputies Healy-Rae and Lowry. On becoming leader of Fianna Fáil, I confirmed to the Deputies concerned that I would continue to implement those agreements. As the House is aware, such arrangements have existed for more than 12 years.

The agreements are confidential but 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 Chief Whip's office in its work in liaising with these Deputies. The staff member meets the Deputies on a regular basis and arranges to keep them briefed on issues as they arise. No changes have been made to these arrangements.

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

Could I ask the Taoiseach-----

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I beg the Deputy's pardon. I understand the practice is that the Deputy who tabled the first question is the first to be called. I rarely have this opportunity so I will avail of it while it is there.

As is the case on almost all such occasions, Deputy Healy-Rae availed of the opportunity, in the course of the passage of budget 2010 before Christmas - in return, allegedly, for his support in the passage of the budget and all votes related to it, including the disgraceful and savage cuts in social welfare supports - to declare that he had secured a deal from the Government regarding a promised 40-bed hospital facility in Kenmare. The Taoiseach has the Minister for Health and Children at his side. Is it not the case, as was my understanding, that a commitment to establish a 40-bed hospital facility in Kenmare had issued 12 months previously from the HSE? Either it was a quid pro quo for Deputy Healy-Rae's support in the passage of budget 2010 or it was not. Certainly, the Deputy has sought to impress on everyone that such a deal was done and that there were other elements of the deal which related to his constituency of Kerry South.

Can the Taoiseach inform the House whether he, or representatives of his Department, met Deputy Healy-Rae to discuss his support for budget 2010? Was the establishment of a 40-bed hospital in Kenmare one of the matters discussed? What other matters were discussed? Are these matters - including the hospital facility - new elements of existing arrangements between the Government and the Independent Deputy for Kerry South? Did similar engagements take place with other Deputies who are currently-----

Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

At a time like this, there always is a danger that issues which relate to another Minister may be introduced to the question.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I have absolutely no idea what the Ceann Comhairle is talking about. I am asking the Taoiseach a question which he can answer. Either he or representatives of his Department did or did not engage with Deputy Healy-Rae.

Deputy Grealish was reported to have met the Taoiseach on 8 December in advance of the budget that he also supported. What can the Taoiseach tell Members about this meeting? What of the meeting with Deputies Scanlon and Devins? Were hospital upgrades and major road repairs, which I note from the statements issued by both Deputies representing the Sligo-North Leitrim constituency, promised in return for their votes? Each of them supported budget 2010 and the subsequent disgraceful measures in respect of social welfare. Is this the case that such Deputies, with whom the Taoiseach allegedly has a standing arrangement going back to 2007 and the formation of the Government, can up the ante every time the Government presents budget proposals or other measures such as Members have gone through all too frequently in the closing months of last year? Do they continue to be in a position to ratchet up their demands on the public purse regarding their own respective constituency needs? The Taoiseach should clarify the position and shed some light regarding the current arrangements with the Government of each of these Deputies in the context of budget 2010, which was introduced in the early stages of last December.

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

As I have stated previously, no changes were made to the arrangements in advance of the budget. Obviously, I meet Deputies on all sides of the House from time to time, with varying degrees of success depending on their disposition. I make the point that political agreements and arrangements are in place. I would be hesitant were the Deputy to try to second-guess how Deputy Healy-Rae wishes to communicate with his constituents. That is a matter for Deputy Healy-Rae. It is true that the requirements for a community hospital in Kenmare have been long sought and have been supported by Deputy Healy-Rae and others for some time. If Deputy Healy-Rae wishes to communicate to his constituents the validity of his support for the Government by giving another indication of how they benefit from his support of the Government, as distinct from those who oppose it, he would take that small advantage whenever it arises. Were Deputy Ó Caoláin in the same position, he would not be too far behind the door himself. It is time to recognise that there are Members who support the Government and who have political arrangements that were completed by my predecessor and which continue in operation.

As for other Members, Deputies Devins and Scanlon are members of the Fianna Fáil Party, albeit not members of the parliamentary party at present. I am glad to note the Government was in a position to confirm the developments for Sligo General Hospital, which were possible on the basis that they were required. Contrary to what the Deputy seems to suggest, it is not the case that the proposals as put forward lack merit. They have merit and have been in planning for some time. From my perspective, yes, I meet Deputies. I met Deputies Lowry and Grealish and many people. Before a budget, it always is timely to speak to Ministers and the Government regarding arrangements and agreements that are in place to enable it to try to assist where it can, consistent with programme for Government commitments. An examination of any of these projects would reveal them to have merit and I understand they are well supported by all sides of the House.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

In a brief follow-on to the Taoiseach's response, I note that while it is all very well to make the point that Deputy Healy Rae will employ all means and methods of communicating with his constituents, this is a case of smoke and mirrors. The Taoiseach is playing that game himself by not being absolutely up-front in his response. A nod and wink approach always is taken in this regard and it is not all on Deputy Healy-Rae's side. It is also on the Taoiseach's side because he would have us believe, as the Minister for Health and Children, who is beside him, has stated ad nauseam, that the HSE makes determinations in regard to hospital configuration and the network. I have heard that probably more often than any Deputy given the constituency I represent and my home county of Monaghan. However, the Taoiseach is happy to allow Deputy Healy-Rae make whatever claims he likes and he is not prepared to discount them and to make it clear that is not the way hospital facilities are secured. I wish the people of Kenmare well and while I support the provision of such a facility, I want equity across the board and equal access to all hospital services. Does the Taoiseach agree a more upfront reply from him would clarify for all Deputies and the wider populous the position that must apply to the configuration of hospital services and it is not a gift he or anyone else can offer to a Deputy as a trade off for his or her support and votes in the House?

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Time has expired.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

How would the Leas-Cheann Comhairle know that? He is only in the House. I am following the nods carefully.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The order of the House is that questions to the Taoiseach ended three minutes ago.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

That is unfortunate.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I do not need to be in early or late to know that. I would like to allow other Deputies to put a brief supplementary.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

It is time the Taoiseach was upfront with the House.

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

What is the cost of the commitments to the Independent Deputies for 2010? Far be it from me to interfere with the arrangements Deputy Healy-Rae has with the Government, but is this the same hospital in Kenmare for which he secured a commitment ten years ago?

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Or an extension to it.

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

Every time we ask these questions about the agreements between the Government and the Independent Deputies, we seem to run into the sand and we have never been able to track down where are the agreements. Nobody has ever put them on the record of the House or told us exactly what is in them. It is a bit like chasing the Holy Grail. I have come to the conclusion that there are no agreements. Every time Deputies Healy-Rae and Lowry say they have secured something for their constituency, a Minister says it was in the pipeline anyway. When Deputies Devins and Scanlan said they secured the hospital extension for Sligo, they were told it was coming anyway. The reality is that Deputies Healy-Rae and Lowry and other Deputies like them who support the Government have sold out the pensioners and their constituents and all they have in return is the pleasure of a periodic private meeting with the Taoiseach.

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

Obviously the electorates of those constituencies do not agree with the Deputy.

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

They obviously rate a meeting with the Taoiseach highly.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Or the pleasure of a meeting.

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

Deputy Gilmore might find value in a meeting some time.

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

Not for a while yet.

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

The Deputy is not as shy as he lets on.

With regard to the comments of Deputies Ó Caoláin and Kenny, it is well known that agreements are in place with people who support the Government and the Government seeks to honour them in the context of available resources and priorities and programme for Government commitments. It is the same for political parties as Independent Deputies and, therefore, I do not see why party leaders should be so dismissive of individual Deputies who seek to have arrangements with the Government when they would make that a condition for membership of a government themselves.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

That is an interesting development.