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Dáil
‹ Order of Business

Government stability

Summary

Deputy Micheál Martin questioned reports of an imminent change of Taoiseach and whether the Government would need new approval. The Taoiseach said no change was proposed and outlined the existing minority arrangement and confidence-and-supply support.

I am sure the Taoiseach will agree that central to the implementation of the programme for Government is that a Government be in place. Deputy Enda Kenny was elected as Taoiseach last May, which is not so long ago. He then put forward a number of Ministers to the House for approval, which is how it is done, and they were approved by the House. In the past week, quite a number of the Ministers nominated by the Taoiseach have publicly set a timeline for his leaving office. I put it to the Taoiseach that if there were to be a change, it could presage his having to come before the House again. If new Ministers were to be appointed, they would need the approval of the House. This is central to the implementation of the legislation planned under the programme for Government. I argue that if there are any plans to make such changes, perhaps the Taoiseach owes it to the House to make it aware, first and foremost, of anything that might change the position regarding the implementation of the programme for Government or the Government line-up, as opposed to that of just one political party. This matter is central to the entire Dáil, which, constitutionally, is the Chamber that approves the Government and elects a Taoiseach, who then nominates Ministers for approval. Quite a number of Ministers have publicly set out the Taoiseach's timetable for his departure from his office. I appreciate that it may not be the same as his timetable. Nonetheless, if he has any information-----

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The Deputy's time is up.

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I appreciate that. If the Taoiseach has any information in this regard, I would appreciate it if he would relate it to the House.

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Enda Kenny The Taoiseach Fine Gael

I assure Deputy Micheál Martin that no change in the Government is proposed. The Government is a minority partnership Administration made up of the Fine Gael Party, the Independent Alliance and a number of other Independents and supported by our confidence-and-supply agreement with Deputy Micheál Martin's party. The Deputy has made it perfectly clear that he intends to adhere to the agreement. The Government has a serious agenda in its programme for Government regarding the work of all Ministers in their contact with their counsel in regard to Brexit, trade missions and other activities as part of the programme for Government. There is no change in this regard. One can have opinions one way or the other. The position is that Government is focused on doing the job for the people and the country, as was our remit when we were elected.

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