Minister Donohoe statement on SIPO questions
Opposition leaders objected that the planned Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform statement would not allow real questions and answers on SIPO-related accountability. The exchange turned briefly into interruptions and banter, but remained centred on securing a proper back-and-forth with the Minister.
It is not agreed. First, the obvious farce of a Minister who has recused himself from SIPO responsibilities presenting to answer questions on SIPO tomorrow is self-evident and it points to the seriousness of the situation in respect of the Minister, Deputy Donohoe. I raise the issue in that regard on "statements", it seems: a statement from the Minister followed by statements or reaction from other parties or groups. That is not satisfactory. What is required is for the Minister to present himself, set out his case and then take questions and answer questions from the Opposition parties and groups.
We must insist that that is the form this exchange takes.
I also raise the issue of former Minister of State, Deputy Damien English. We have not yet had any word of when Deputy English will present himself, make a statement and take questions from the Opposition. The idea that a choreographed statement from the Minister would suffice is utterly unacceptable.
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As I said, I welcome that we will have a statement by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform at 5 p.m. I reiterate that there does not seem to be any facility for a response to questions raised by us in opposition. They are valid questions that many of us have already asked the Taoiseach on the floor of this House. There is precedent for having a statement of this nature where there is an opportunity for a response to be provided. I think the Taoiseach provided a response of that sort himself previously in this House and a back-and-forth was enabled. It was far better as a way to clarify outstanding issues. We also need a statement from former Minister of State, Deputy Damien English. We do not see that listed on this week's schedule. It is important to have the opportunity to clarify these issues relating to two Fine Gael Ministers in this House this week.
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The Taoiseach said twice earlier that the Minister, Deputy Donohoe, would be answering questions. The Order of Business as the Ceann Comhairle circulated this morning does not allow for that. It allows for five-minute statements from each of the Opposition parties. Can we get clarification on whether each of those five-minute slots can be used for back-and-forth questions and answers from each of the Opposition parties and the Minister? It is important for that to happen. There is no reason, as I understand it, that could not happen. Will the Taoiseach clarify that, please?
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I also think there should be a question and answer session. I want to raise what I believe is a scandal. That is the planned deal between Coillte and the UK investment fund, Gresham House. It is essentially the State facilitating and financing a corporate grab by a for-profit investment fund of tens of thousands of hectares of land and forestry in this country. I asked the Chief Whip at the Business Committee last Thursday for an urgent debate in the Dáil about this plan. Small farmers, environmentalists and anybody who cares about the forestry, heritage and land of this country are horrified by this deal, which is a repeat of the disgraceful plan to try to privatise the harvesting rights of Coillte back in 2013, which we protested against and gladly overturned. This deal has to be stopped. At a minimum, I ask for a commitment to an urgent debate in the Dáil about this outrageous plan to privatise Irish forestry.
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I too am not satisfied with not having questions and answers regarding the Minister, Deputy Donohoe.
We have statements before European Council meetings and post European Council meetings. When will we have pre-visit to Davos statements? The Taoiseach said he will only be there for a day and a half and that he would like to be there for a week. Frankly, I do not care how long he stays there. Professor Schwab said that it has penetrated many cabinets around the world. I know the Minister for Finance, Deputy Michael McGrath, is going to Davos. I do not know how many more Ministers and how many hangers-on are going. What the hell is going on over there? Why is the Taoiseach not responsible for telling this House what the agenda is and, when he comes back, for informing us about it and about whatever bit of Ireland he has sold off or powers he has given to these mighty people? I want to have pre-World Economic Forum statements and post-World Economic Forum statements. We have a precedent with the European Council. We must have one for this.
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A collection might be made for that flight.
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Very funny. It is a great laugh.