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I welcome the opportunity to appear before the Select Committee as it considers the following 2013 Estimates for Votes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6.

The 2014 Estimates in each case are:

- the President’s Establishment: 3.267 million

- the Department of the Taoiseach: 19.423 million

- the Central Statistics Office: 39.577 million

- the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions: 36.838 million

- the Office of the Chief State Solicitor: 26.309 million

The total Estimate for these Votes in 2014 is 139.715 million, a reduction of 5% from the 2013 Revised Estimate of 146.615 million.

I will primarily describe for the Committee the broad areas of work which are undertaken by my Department.

I will also briefly outline the proposed estimate allocations for the President’s Establishment, the Office of the Attorney General, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Office of the Chief State Solicitor.

As Members will be aware, while I have certain responsibilities to the Oireachtas in respect of administrative matters in the legal offices, they operate independently of my Department.

The Minister of State will then make a short statement on the Estimates for the Central Statistics Office, for which he has delegated responsibility.

Vote 1 – President’s Establishment

The Revised Estimate for the President’s Establishment for 2014 is 3.267 million euro.

This includes just over 2 million euro for pay and administration, with the balance of 1.2 million euro to fund the centenarians’ bounty. Based on last year’s figures and recent trends, it is estimated that over 400 centenarians will receive the bounty in 2014, though it is impossible to be precise.

Vote 2 – Department of the Taoiseach

A total of 19.423 million euro has been provided in the estimate for the Department of the Taoiseach in 2014, a reduction of 12% on the 2013 Revised Estimate.

In accordance with the Programme for Government, my Department aims to provide a strategic centre which ensures a joined-up approach to the development and implementation of Government policy, and includes a small Office to monitor delivery of the Programme for Government across all Departments.

As well as a number of executive functions appropriate to the centre of Government, much of this work involves support for meetings of the Government and Cabinet Committees, including the Economic Management Council.

I believe that there were a significant number of achievements during the course of 2013 to which my Department contributed, working with other Departments and Agencies.

I would just like to mention a few of these including:

- Ireland’s successful exit from the Troika Programme and re-entry into the bond markets earlier this month. This was greatly facilitated by the deal on the Promissory Note achieved in February and achievement of fiscal targets in 2013 and in the 2014 Budget.

- The very successful Irish Presidency of the European Union in the first half of 2013 which has been widely praised. This was a major undertaking for the Department and I would like to acknowledge the efforts of all involved, including temporary staff recruited for the Presidency.

- As well as the EU Presidency, we have continued to restore Ireland’s international standing and reputation, including through visits I have undertaken myself to America, the World Economic Forum in Davos, the G8 Summit in Lough Erne, Japan, and most recently the Gulf States. The Global Irish Economic Forum in October 2013 was another important part of this process.

- The effective implementation of the 2013 Action Plan on Jobs and the updated Pathways to Work Strategy published in July has been reflected in a fall in unemployment to 12.4% and a return to substantial new job creation.

- Continued reform of the public service, in particular through the Haddington Road Agreement concluded last June, as well as major reform programmes in Local Government, Health, Education and other sectors.

- Putting in place a comprehensive strategy for mortgage arrears including Central Bank targets for each bank and establishment of the new Insolvency Service.

- Political and constitutional reforms including a new phase of Dáil reforms introduced last September, the work of the Constitutional Convention and meeting our commitment to hold a referendum on the Seanad. This was the sixth referendum during the lifetime of the Government and we are committed to further referendums in 2015 drawing on the work of the Constitutional Convention.

My Department was involved in many other specific initiatives and issues during 2013, for example promoting the development of the IFSC, resolving the Priory Hall complex and facilitating social dialogue through the National Economic and Social Council.

2014 Priorities

Of course, a great deal of further work is required in many of these areas during 2014, as well as progressing other priorities identified in the Programme for Government and the Department’s Strategy Statement.

Programme for Government

During 2014, the Programme for Government Office will continue to oversee implementation of the Programme and will publish the third progress report next March.

Jobs

The most important objective for the Department in 2014 will be job creation – as I have said previously, 2014 will be all about jobs.

Work is now advanced in preparing the Action Plan for Jobs for 2014 and the Department will seek to ensure that this is delivered, along with continued roll-out of Pathways to Work. My Department’s work on implementation of these strategies in 2014 will include some regional and local activities.

My Department will also continue to support me in a strategic programme of international engagement, based around jobs, increasing trade and investment.

I have recently visited Japan and the Gulf States. Next week I will attend the World Economic Forum in Davos, and I also expect to travel to the United States in March where my focus will again be on building on our strong economic, political and business links with the US and progressing issues of concern to the Irish community including immigration reform.

During the planning and organisation of my overseas visits my Department will continue to prioritise value for money and will minimise associated costs.

Through the work of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Infrastructure, we will seek to maximise productive investment across the economy, including delivery of PPP projects and other stimulus investments to support economic growth and employment.

We also intend to deliver on the commitments in the Medium Term Economic Strategy to ensure that the banking sector provides credit in a manner which supports economic recovery.

Europe

In relation to the European Union, I intend to build on the successful Presidency to develop alliances and work with our partners to advance and defend Ireland's priority interests: this is a core objective for me and my Department.

While continuing to play an active part in the Council and of course continuing our intense engagement across the board with the European Commission, we will also be working to maintain the important political relationships established with the current European Parliament and to develop early connections with MEPs in the new Parliament following the elections in May of this year.

Alongside changes in the European Parliament, a new European Commission will be appointed later this year. Ministers will be making particular efforts to engage with the new Commissioners soon after they take up their new roles.

We also intend to deepen our long-term relationship with the European Commission and other institutions by maximising the number of Irish people working in these institutions on both a permanent and temporary basis.

For this reason, the Department’s Estimate provides 1.2 million euro towards efforts to increase our presence, including meeting the cost of seconded national experts in relevant positions in EU and international organisations.

This is an important investment into our future, by increasing our understanding of such institutions, whose work often impacts significantly at national level, and improving their understanding of us.

My Department’s 2014 Estimates also include an allocation of 250,000 euro for supporting EU engagement. This money is spent supporting work in primary schools through the Blue Star programme, in local community groups, NGOs and others, as well as working with stakeholders to build awareness of the EU jobs available to Irish citizens.

Public Service Reform

Earlier this week, the Government published a new Public Service Reform Plan which sets out a new wave of reform across the different sectors. Implementation of this, including delivery on the potential under the Haddington Road Agreement, is overseen by the Cabinet Committee on Public Service Reform.

In addition, my Department is jointly sponsoring an initiative on renewal of the Civil Service with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. Together with the consultation process recently launched on Civil Service accountability, this will result in a new vision and set of reforms to ensure the Civil Service is fit for the challenges it faces in the years ahead. I expect this work to be completed by the summer.

Health Reform

Through the Cabinet Committee on Health, the focus in 2014 will be on the next phase of the reform process including publication of a White Paper on Universal Health Insurance, implementation of Money Follows the Patient, structural reforms to move towards a purchaser\provider split in health delivery, and full implementation of the hospital groups announced last year.

Constitutional Convention

My Department’s Estimate includes an allocation of 920,000 euro for the Convention in 2014. I believe that the Convention has been highly successful to date and, following a number of regional meetings in 2013, it has identified two further matters that it will examine this year: Dáil Reform; and Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland, North-South relations and relations with Britain will continue to be important priorities for my Department.

In relation to Northern Ireland, I am disappointed that the Haass talks concluded on New Year’s Eve without reaching agreement.

It should be said that significant effort went into the talks. I have placed on record my thanks to Dr. Haass and his team for accepting the invitation of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to facilitate these talks and for their tireless pursuit of an agreement.

I hope that the period ahead can be used to build on that effort, and provide a basis for a future agreement. The Government stands ready to work with the Northern Ireland Executive, and with the British Government, to support further efforts to achieve greater peace and build a united community in Northern Ireland.

We will also continue to support the work of the North South Ministerial Council and I look forward to the next plenary meeting of the NSMC which will take place in Dublin on 6 June 2014.

President Higgins official visit to the United Kingdom

Another important occasion in 2014 will be the official visit of President Higgins to the United Kingdom.

The first State Visit by the President to Britain will be an important and historic occasion. Following on the very successful visit to Ireland by Queen Elizabeth in 2011, it will be a wonderful opportunity to deepen the relationship.

While this of course a matter primarily for the President, the Government will offer any assistance that is required to ensure that the Visit is a success. My Department and the Department of Foreign Affairs will provide assistance with logistical and other matters, while all relevant State agencies will also be asked to contribute. Our Ambassador in London will of course be centrally involved.

I am sure the visit will reflect the deep and growing relations between Britain and Ireland, not just in history and politics, but also in economics and trade, in culture and in kinship. I understand it is also intended to have an appropriate event in London during the State Visit to reflect our cultural ties, which will be supported by Culture Ireland. This will also provide an opportunity for the large Irish community in Britain to participate in the Visit, and for their enormous contribution to the life of both Britain and Ireland to be recognised.

Commemorative Events

During 2013 my Department has organised, or assisted with, a range of commemorative events including of the 2013 Lockout and the foundation of the Irish Volunteers.

Of course, 2014 marks the centenary of the start of World War One. In December Prime Minister Cameron and I jointly visited a number of memorials in Flanders to pay our respects to those who died during the War, particularly soldiers from all parts of this island who fought in British uniforms. This was a unique occasion which I believe was important in showing how far relations between Britain and Ireland have come in recent times.

The 2014 commemoration of the 1916 Easter Rising will also take place at the GPO on Easter Sunday, 20 April, while the National Day of Commemoration ceremony will be held in the Royal Hospital, Kilmainham on Sunday, 13 July.

Moriarty Tribunal

A total of 1.46 million euro has been provided for the Moriarty Tribunal in 2014.

The Moriarty Tribunal is currently dealing with applications for third-party costs.

The Sole Member has indicated to my Department that the majority of applications for costs have been considered by him and that he hopes to have this process finalised in the near future.

A new Legal Costs Unit in the State Claims Agency is dealing with bills of costs from third parties at Tribunals of Inquiry, while the Chief State Solicitor’s Office is handling bills received prior to the establishment of the Legal Costs Unit.

National Economic and Social Council

The allocation for the National Economic and Social Council in 2014 is 1.99 million euro, a reduction of 21% since 2010.

The Council continues to provide a forum for dialogue between Government and the social partners, as well as analysing economic, social and environmental issues. Following reports on the economic and social dimensions of the crisis in 2013, its work programme in 2014 will include housing, eldercare and jobless households.

Conclusion

I have outlined some of the priorities which the Department will be working to progress during the course of 2014.

In all areas the Department seeks to ensure value for money and to maximise efficiencies and will continue to do so in 2014, adhering to best practice in terms of procurement. The Department already participates in a number of shared service projects and is scheduled to join the Civil Service HR Shared Service during 2014.

Vote 3 – Office of the Attorney General

For 2014 the Office of the Attorney General has a net budget of 14.301 million euro.

This is broken into 12.885 million euro for the Administration subheads, 2.204 million for programme expenditure and an appropriation in aid of 0.788 million euro.

The majority of the Administrative expenditure relates to staff salaries which will cost 10.834 million in 2014. The next largest expenditure is provided for in subhead A4 and is 2.091 million euro in respect of the Law Reform Commission. Funds for the operation of the Commission are channelled through the Vote as a Grant-in-aid.

Since 2008 the Office has reduced its gross budget by 22.8%. Measures taken include reductions in expenditure wherever possible and a 28% reduction in administrative staff numbers. Staff losses have been confined to administrative positions in order to avoid any interruption of the core work of the Office i.e. the provision of legal advice and drafting services to its clients. The Office is fully engaged in all the Public Service Reform initiatives.

Vote 5 – Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions

The Estimate for the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions is 36.838 million euro. This provides for the salaries and expenses of the Director and her staff, the cost of the Local State Solicitor service, fees to counsel engaged by the Director to prosecute cases in the various courts, and legal costs awarded against the State arising out of judicial review and other legal proceedings.

The Estimate for 2014 represents a drop of 2%, or 0.576 million euro, over the 2013 Estimate. The biggest single factor in this drop is the reduction in the provision made in Input A4 General Law Expenses. This Input covers the payment of legal costs awarded by the Courts in judicial review matters and other applications connected to legal proceedings. The provision of 2.121 million euro in respect of this Input for 2014 represents a decrease of 1.213 million euro over the 2013 allocation. This reduction is possible because of an underlying reduction in the amount paid in respect of law costs awarded against the Office over recent years. This has been driven by a Costs Settlement Policy implemented by the Office.

Vote 6 – Chief State Solicitor’s Office

The Estimate for the Chief State Solicitor’s Office is 26.309 million euro.

Salaries, wages and allowances account for 14.8 million euro out of a total of 16.969 million euro.

A figure of 11.2 million euro is allocated for the payment legal fees incurred by the Office. This can be broken down into an amount of 9.6 million euro for counsel fees, 1.4 million euro for general law expenses and 200,000 euro for the use of external solicitors.

The remaining 2.2 million euro is attributable to the general running costs of the office and includes provision for items such as IT services, training, security, cleaning, utilities and upkeep of offices.

The figures for salary and legal expenses combined account for 98% of the net allocation in the Revised Estimates of 29.92 million euro.

Appropriations-in Aid are estimated at 1.86 million euro and will include legal costs recovered by the office along with the recoupment of the pension levy.

Conclusion

In conclusion, I would like to thank Members for their attention and to commend these Estimates to the Committee.

I would now like to hand over to the Minister of State, Deputy Paul Kehoe, who will make a statement on the Estimates for the Central Statistics Office, for which he has Ministerial responsibility.

Thank you.