Dáil to be told about FF-Greens review

THE DÁIL would be told about the FF-Green Party review of the programme for government, Taoiseach Brian Cowen told the House. Mr Cowen said that the programme for government would inform the work of government.

“How we will review it, and what emerges from that review will be notified in due course . . . if and when it happens . . . whenever it happens . . . when it happens,” he added.

He was replying to Labour leader Eamon Gilmore, who asked when it was intended to publish the revised programme.

It was essential that the house knew what the Government intended doing, said Mr Gilmore.

“Clearly, the existing programme for government is a dead letter,’’ he added. “And it is very difficult to raise issues or questions on a programme for government that no longer applies.”

Earlier, Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny asked Mr Cowen to clarify what was going on, and if it was the Government’s intention to review or rewrite the programme. There seemed to be some confusion about the matter, he added.

Mr Cowen replied: “The programme for government, of course, is implemented on the basis of the availability of resources, as is every programme for government.

“I outlined to the House here last March when I was asked about the programme for government, that it was necessary for us to set priorities based on the fact that we are in new economic circumstances.

“I think it is timely, at a midway term of a government, to do a review of the programme . . . and that is what we intend to do.” During sharp exchanges on the economy, Mr Cowen said that it was hoped to bring the heads of the Bill establishing the National Asset Management Agency (Nama) to the Government in June.

The Government would proceed with the legislation as quickly as possible, subject to the Attorney General’s advice.

It was hoped to have it published before the Dáil rose for the summer recess.

Mr Cowen said that the Government was engaged with the EU Commission to ensure that Nama’s final structure was consistent with the EU guidelines on asset purchase schemes and state aid rules. Accusing the Government of “dithering” on the issue, Mr Gilmore claimed that the project had all the hallmarks of the kind of way that the Government considered the privatisation of Telecom Éireann and the establishment of the HSE.

“This is dither and delay while businesses are going to the wall . . . while businesses are being starved of the credit they need . . . while banks are in trouble and while confidence in the country, both domestic and in business, and international confidence, is eroding all of the time,” he added.

Mr Cowen said that the legislation setting up Nama was urgent, but drawing it up was a complex and arduous task.

Mr Kenny repeated his call for a general election if there was a bad result for the Government in next month’s elections.

He urged Mr Cowen to take accountability to the top and seek a fresh mandate from the people, “who see this regime as nothing other than a Fianna Fáil dictatorship”.

Repeating his dismissal of the call, Mr Cowen said that the Government was determined to lead and not snipe to govern and not to pontificate.

“And certainly to act and not to theorise,” he said.

He added: “The bottom line is this, Deputy Kenny: after June 5th, this Government will continue to take whatever steps are necessary in the interests of this country to get us back on the road to growth and prosperity.”