Mr. Martin Fraser:

A number of the points the Deputy raises relate to the Chief Whip's office. If I may be delicate about it, they are political matters and they will be dealt with in that way. I have a briefing note but I can revert to the Deputy with the details. The number of committees reduced from 25 to 16 when the new committees were established. Members of the Oireachtas will know more about developments since then than I do. The other Bill is before the House and there are often suggestions for new committees, but I can only set out the facts as I understand them. That is mainly dealt with through the Chief Whip's office and the political system.

I understand the Ceann Comhairle's role was dealt with under Standing Orders in July 2011. Again, I am using a briefing note on this. I do not have the same knowledge of the House that Members have.

With regard to the rationalisation of the number of regulators, the Department has done some work on regulation. We have been involved in a consultation for a report on regulation and how it might operate in the country. I believe the report is out for consultation at present and might even be nearly complete. It has been publicised. The idea is that there would be a Government statement on regulation. That is our contribution. From time to time policy initiatives come about or changes are made which require more regulators. These decisions are made by the Government in each case. It is not that we have a type of fatwa or an ability to stop new regulators being created, it is just a policy matter for the Government.