Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1. To ask the Taoiseach the number of meetings of the Cabinet committee on economic infrastructure that have been held in the past three months. [8950/14]

Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

2. To ask the Taoiseach the number of times the Cabinet committee on economic infrastructure has met since the winter recess. [14916/14]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 and 2 together.

As Deputies are aware it is not the practice, for Cabinet confidentiality reasons, to speak about specific issues discussed at Cabinet committees. The Cabinet committee on economic infrastructure met on four occasions so far this year, with the last three meetings taking place in March, April and June.

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Taoiseach has just dealt with this issue but I will raise a slightly different angle. The supply of water is an essential element of economic infrastructure and there have been many concerns raised recently about the lack of an out-of-hours emergency service by Uisce Éireann.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

We are really straying as I understand this would not be discussed at a Cabinet economic infrastructure committee.

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

No.

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Why was it not?

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I do not know and the Deputy is asking questions. I am only telling him what I have heard. The question does not concern water. We must stay within the rules to some degree, please.

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Will you explain the rule?

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

A simple question has been asked concerning the number of meetings of the Cabinet committee on economic infrastructure that have been held in the past three months. The Taoiseach has given the answer. The question did not ask about Irish Water.

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

In those months the issue has emerged.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Do not take me for a fool as I am long enough around not to be treated like that.

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I am not.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Let us stick to the rules of the game to some extent at least.

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I wonder about the merits of questions to the Taoiseach as they are currently organised. We deal with issues that are six or seven months old. The leader of Fianna Fáil and others, including myself, have queried how these questions are ordered and I want to raise an issue concerning an essential element of economic infrastructure only to be told it is not in order.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Correct. It is not appropriate to put questions to the Taoiseach when another specific question regarding a number of meetings has been asked.

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for his openness in the conduct of this business. I will sit down, having once again been "section 31'd".

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Deputy and his colleagues in Northern Ireland have Question Time, as we do, with questions asked and an answer expected. A habit has grown whereby we deal with four or five questions in the entire hour because we stray into other areas. The result is we never get through the agenda. Do not try to put pressure on me.

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

We will get through it very quickly like this.

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Perhaps there is a FÁS course for those opposite on how to write questions.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I call Deputy Joe Higgins.

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Is that so it could be done on the cheap?

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I have called Deputy Joe Higgins.

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

It would be on the cheap anyway.

Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I am sure the interjection by the Minister, Deputy Rabbitte, is meant to be helpful but unfortunately it is more difficult than that. We are not allowed to frame a question asking what was discussed at the Cabinet committee on economic infrastructure.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Correct.

Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

That is the problem. The Minister, Deputy Rabbitte, would have to deal with constitutional change before we could ask a question along the lines he suggests. That leaves us with a problem. In fairness to the Ceann Comhairle, until now he has seen how limited that formula is and he has allowed latitude to discuss issues arising from the Cabinet committee on economic infrastructure, for example. Will the Taoiseach remind the Dáil of the role of the Cabinet committee on economic infrastructure? Will he tell us, with regard to the meetings covered in his answer, whether there has been movement on infrastructural investment for crucial areas of the economy that are pushing forward? The greatest infrastructural need now is housing and there must be urgency about social housing-----

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

That is a separate question.

Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

What role does the Cabinet committee have in that regard and have there been urgent meetings to deal with the issue?

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I am afraid that is a separate question.

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

I will try to help the Deputy. The work of the Cabinet committee on economic infrastructure includes implementation of a number of commitments in the programme for Government regarding NewERA and infrastructural investment. That is supported by senior officials, bringing together the key Departments involved. The question about housing is a matter for the committee on social policy, as it deals with social housing, homelessness, boarded-up units, etc. I can provide some information about that in a moment.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

No.

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

In that case-----

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I am sorry for interrupting but the question asked concerned the number of meetings held.

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

I have answered that.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

If somebody asked about the purpose of the economic infrastructure committee, it would be a different issue. This is a simple question concerning the number of meetings held. We are not getting through the agenda because of this.

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

I answered that question.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Given that there has been an underspend in the capital programme every year with regard to the allocations for capital investment in roads, schools and so on, employment could be created if the process was done properly. There are issues regarding youth unemployment, for example, and it has been indicated that it has not been responded to adequately by the Government.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

We are straying again.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Is the Taoiseach satisfied that there have been enough meetings of this committee on economic infrastructure, given the very poor performance of the Government in the spending for capital projects? The allocation was underspent this year, last year and the year before. Given the Taoiseach's response so far, the committee is not meeting enough to deal with the issues arising with regard to capital projects that would give badly needed jobs to people in the construction sector and the wider economy.

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

The Deputy mentioned the capital spend but the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Howlin, is carrying out a comprehensive review of expenditure for all Departments at this time in preparation for the budget later in October. With regard to the Youth Guarantee, the Minister for Social Protection has already met representatives of the OECD on a number of occasions, as well as other groups involved in the issue. Legislation is being prepared as part of general social protection legislation to deal specifically with the Youth Guarantee.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Deputies will be able to have a wider debate with the next question.

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

If everybody agreed, we could set aside Standing Orders for a few moments and usefully discuss our Taoiseach's questions-----

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

We will not discuss that now. It is a matter for the Whips.

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

May I ask-----

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Somebody must put a stop to all of this.

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

All of what?

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

It is unfair to people who have other questions that are never reached because we stray off into other areas. My job, which is not very popular, is to say "No, the Deputy cannot". It is easier for me to sit back and let Deputy Adams ramble on for an hour until it is finished.

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I think the Ceann Comhairle would acknowledge that not only do I ask lots of questions and do not stray all over the place-----

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I am asking the Deputy to move on now to Question No. 3 which is a real question about discussions the Taoiseach has had with church leaders.

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

A real question?

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Deputy has got his answer four times to Questions Nos. 1 and 2. He may not be happy with the answer but he can come back to it the next day.

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I am not happy that I was not able to put the supplementary questions.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Deputy put supplementary questions three or four times.