Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 5: To ask the Taoiseach the progress made to date in respect of the implementation of those elements of the revised programme for Government for which his Department is responsible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48392/09]

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 6: To ask the Taoiseach if he will report on the implementation of the revised programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48408/09]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 7: To ask the Taoiseach the progress made to date regarding the implementation of those areas of the revised programme for Government for which his Department has line responsibility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1464/10]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 8: To ask the Taoiseach if he has satisfied himself with the rate of implementation of the revised programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1465/10]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 9: To ask the Taoiseach the progress made on the implementation of the revised programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3457/10]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 5 to 9, inclusive, together.

The review of the programme for Government was completed last October. As Deputies are aware our initial programme for Government made clear that its delivery was based on an annual growth rate of 4.5%. It was negotiated prior to the worst global downturn since the 1930s. The renewed programme for Government takes account of the changed economic circumstances which have arisen from the period of unprecedented global economic turmoil. It also takes account of progress to date in implementing the original programme for Government as well as the template going forward upon which Government will be focusing its priorities in a different economic environment. I am confident that the programme will serve us well in the years to come.

It is the responsibility of each individual Minister to ensure that the commitments in the renewed programme for Government that fall within a particular portfolio are fully implemented. We all have to adapt to changed economic circumstances. Just as businesses and families are adapting to the new reality, the Government is doing so too. This renewed programme for Government will direct and inspire the Government's efforts in dealing with both national and international issues which are fundamental to Ireland's economic well-being and development.

There is growing evidence that the economic position has stabilised and there has been a positive reaction from both domestic and international commentators to the corrective measures taken in the 2010 budget. We are now focusing on implementation of the programme in order to deliver measures which will stimulate sustainable economic recovery in line with the Government's smart economy framework.

The Department of the Taoiseach derives its mandate from my role as head of government. As such, it is involved to some degree in virtually all aspects of the work of the Government. It provides support to me as Taoiseach and to the Government through the Government secretariat, the Cabinet committee system and through its involvement in policy areas and initiatives.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The programme for Government included a commitment to ban corporate donations. What is the status of that commitment? It also gave a commitment to create 120,000 green collar jobs. One of the biggest white elephants appears to be the smart economy document and the €500 million innovation fund. We are still waiting for details of this 15 months after it was announced. When can we expect the details to be published? Is that the area in which the Government expects the 120,000 green collar jobs to be provided?

The last American ambassador said that if this country did not get serious about ocean energy, we would fall way behind. The recent development between Ocean Energy and Dresser-Rand was certainly good news for the Irish energy sector. This is not a pipe dream. Denmark - a country of similar size and resources to Ireland - created 20,000 jobs and exports 90% of what is produced by Danish wind turbine manufacturers. The Danish energy industry turnover was €390 million in 1996, but it reached €4.3 billion in 2006. There are clearly massive opportunities here.

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The issue of donations is being proceeded with in the context of overall electoral reform. The smart economy document is far from being a white elephant. About 34 recommendations have been completed and 68 are being implemented at the moment. Work is ongoing with other recommendations. It is not correct to say that no action is being taken on the smart economy document.

The issue of investment funds arose during Leaders' Questions a few weeks ago, when I explained the situation. The NTMA personnel have come back from the US, having spoken to venture capitalists there. They listened intently to what those venture capitalists had to say and they are examining the type of model that can be brought forward that will attract the sort of commitment from venture capitalists that is necessary to assist and drive an innovation fund. Their work is continuing and I had a meeting with them a few weeks ago.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I also want to ask the Taoiseach about green jobs. One green job in particular is the job that the former Senator de Búrca did not get. What was the understanding in the reviewed programme for Government about jobbery in the Government and about the appointment of jobs like this? The former Senator claims that she was promised the job and that the Minister, Deputy John Gormley, could not deliver it for her. Was there an understanding about a job for Ms de Búrca in Commissioner Geoghegan-Quinn's cabinet? Why was he not able to deliver it for her?

The programme for Government states: "We will introduce on a legislative basis a more open and transparent system for appointments to public bodies. The legislation will outline a procedure for the publication of all vacancies likely to occur..." What progress has been made on that statement? Does it apply to the kind of job that the former Senator de Búrca did not get?

My final question is about the revised programme for Government and its policy on incineration. The Government issued a statement about two weeks ago which purported to provide some comfort for the Minister, Deputy Gormley in his constituency. Unfortunately, the statement does not say whether the building of the incinerator in Ringsend is Government policy. Is it Government policy to build that incinerator?

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I have no comment on internal party matters in respect of the first issue. It is not referred to in the programme for Government and is not relevant to supplementary questions at all.

We are in favour of resource management in the area of waste management generally. The Minister has indicated his concerns about using a section 60 procedure regarding the prospect of capping levels of waste that go for incineration. That is a consultative process under EU directives. He has given his views on that matter individually and as Minister. Until the consultative process is completed, decisions taken by the Government will be taken in that context. To do otherwise would leave the Minister open to legal challenge, and that is something we wish to avoid. Part of the initiative undertaken by the Minister is related to the amount of waste that could be provided for incineration.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The Taoiseach refers to my first question as an internal party matter. It is not an internal party matter. I am asking him about the programme for Government, which is the marriage contract - if one could elevate it to that status at all - between his party and the Green Party. One of the provisions in that programme for Government relates to appointments to public bodies. There is a commitment in the programme - part of which I just read out - about a more open and more transparent system for appointments to public bodies. It is something that was very welcome and was sought by the Green Party. Does that commitment include a commitment to a more open and transparent system for appointments to public bodies? Does that include the kind of jobs that Green Party members get in the Government, or jobs that they would like to get from people who are appointed by the Government?

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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At home or abroad.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The Taoiseach states that this will require legislation, but could the Government not do this anyway? If there is a more open and transparent system for appointment to public bodies, the Government could do it without having to go through the bother of bringing in legislation. The job in Commissioner Geoghegan-Quinn's cabinet could have been advertised in line with the provisions of this document, which would have given the former Senator de Búrca a fair opportunity to compete for it. According to what she said, the Minister, Deputy Gormley, told her that the Taoiseach shafted her. That cannot be good for relations in the Government.

I interpret what the Taoiseach is saying about the incinerator as meaning that it is Government policy to build the incinerator in Ringsend, but that at some stage in the future, the Government might put a cap on the amount of material that would be incinerated there. Is that a correct interpretation?

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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In respect of people in European Commissioners' cabinets or otherwise, it is a matter for the incumbent to decide such issues. That is the case here as it was in previous situations. The Deputy chooses his own cabinet and does not go around advertising it. I am sure none of his party members was aware of it if he did.

There is a statutory basis under which top level appointments to public bodies are set up. They are not ad hoc, but are based on certain powers that are provided by the Oireachtas for the proper appointment of people in those situations. We indicated in the programme for Government that we would reform the process, and I imagine that would require legislation.

Regardless of whether one is emphasising waste management policy as a resource management issue, incineration is part of the waste hierarchy. There is no waste plan in the developed world where incineration is not part of the hierarchy. The issue is to what extent one manages the resources one has in the waste pyramid that can be used for recycling. One maximises recycling and when there is a residual waste issue beyond that, heat to energy and other such means of disposal are legitimate in that context. Waste policy has been set out for some years.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Incineration is, therefore, Government policy.

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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It is part of policy but the issue has always been what is the relevant capacity and what is the best management of the resource that will ultimately require incineration in some form.