Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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126. To ask the Taoiseach the status of the implementation of A Programme for Partnership Government as it applies to his Department. [24581/18]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Government recently approved the annual report setting out progress on the Programme for Government. This sets out detailed progress since May 2017 on commitments being implemented across Government and will be published shortly and laid before the Oireachtas.

The report contains details of progress on commitments falling under the responsibility of the Department of the Taoiseach, mainly linked to Brexit preparations, the work of the Citizens' Assembly and continuing the process of Dáil Reform and Seanad Reform.

The Citizens' Assembly has considered each of the five topics and has published its recommendations to date on three of them. These are, the Eighth amendment, responding to the challenges and opportunities of an ageing population and making Ireland a leader in tackling climate change. Government has published an indicative timetable for a number of referendums on constitutional amendments to be held in 2018 and 2019. The first of these was a referendum on the Eighth amendment which was passed in May 2018. Referendums on blasphemy and “woman’s life within the home” are next in line to be held.

The new collaborative model is operating effectively in the Oireachtas with the Business Committee managing the weekly Dáil business and the new Parliamentary Budget Office established to provide independent and impartial information, analysis and advice to the Oireachtas. The cross party group on Seanad Reform held its first meeting in May and the Taoiseach recently met with the chairpersons of Oireachtas Committees to discuss a wide range of issues relevant to their work.

The Department continues to support the Taoiseach to ensure the best possible outcomes for Ireland in relation to Brexit. Earlier this week, Government launched the Global Ireland 2025 which represents the most ambitious renewal and expansion of Ireland’s international presence ever undertaken in terms of diplomacy, culture, business, overseas aid, tourism and trade. It will support efforts to grow and diversify export markets, inward investment and tourism, as Brexit becomes a reality.