Taoiseach rejects claim of Government 'incoherence'

THE TAOISEACH has rejected a claim by the Fianna Fáil leader that there has been a “significant burst of incoherence” from the Government.

Micheál Martin said people had been bombarded with different messages from various Ministers on fundamental issues.

“As the Tánaiste so eloquently said this morning, every Monday morning when they wake up they feel disposed to articulate some view or other,” Mr Martin added.

“It is undermining the Taoiseach’s authority and the authority of the Government, as well as its sense of clarity and direction.”

Enda Kenny said he disagreed entirely with Mr Martin’s comment that there was insufficient direction or clarity in the Government.

“The Government and I will accept our responsibility,” he added. “The Deputy denied all responsibility when he had a position of authority.”

He said Mr Martin, as minister for health, had produced 130 reports which lay on shelves gathering dust.

Pressed by Mr Martin to say if the Government would honour the Croke Park agreement, Mr Kenny said the “agreement runs to the end of 2013”.

He added that the Government wanted it to be implemented in full and as speedily as possible. “I have said that on many occasions, as has the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.”

He said that Brendan Howlin and himself hoped to meet the public service unions in the near future to discuss the agreement.

Mr Kenny said there was going to be a “difficult and challenging budget” to draft for 2013, and there was a requirement for every Minister to engage in the process.

He said the budget would not be drafted “in public”.

Independent TD Shane Ross said the issue of public service increments was important. He asked if they were being paid at the top end of the Civil Service to those drawing six-figure salaries.

“If that is the case, then it is an argument in itself for the reopening of the Croke Park agreement.”

Mr Kenny said 70 per cent of those in the public service receiving increments were in the middle to lower end of the public service.

He added that independent analysis of the agreement was favourable as far as roster changes, redeployment and movement of personnel out of the public service were concerned.

He said it would form part of the analysis and preparation for the budget for 2013.

Mr Ross sought an assurance from the Taoiseach that public servants paid six-figure sums, €2,000 a week or less, should be considered and targeted if they were receiving increments.

Mr Kenny said he would bear Mr Ross’s comments in mind, but he understood that those at the very top did not get increments.

“There may well be those who are in line for promotion instead of long service increments in some sectors, but I will take note of what the Deputy said in respect of the issues we will discuss when we meet with the implementation group.”

Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams said the incoherence of Government Ministers was a given.

“However, for all the apparent disagreement, the Labour and Fine Gael Cabinet is fully in agreement that €500 million should be cut from social welfare payments,” he added.

“At the same time, senior bondholders will be paid.”

Mr Kenny said Mr Adams was asking that the State should default on its debt, “which would be a disaster and a catastrophe economically for us and for every person living here”.

He said he did not subscribe to that view. “This country has always paid its way,” the Taoiseach added.