Steven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I welcome Dr. Buquicchio and Lord Sumption and thank them for their attendance and for their submissions to the committee. In his statement to the committee Dr. Buquicchio outlined the constraints and difficulties that many Governments have faced in responding with adequate legislation during the Covid crisis. He mentioned particularly that the German Bundestag quickly amended its rules and reduced the quorum required for electronic voting and closed hearings from the public etc., and the leaders of the political parties representative of Parliament concluded an agreement that only 55 members of Parliament representing their parties in proportion would take part in the plenary sessions. He went on to outline alternative models requiring that the Government act before Parliament does and what kinds of checks and balances may be put in place to ensure Governments do not overreach in their powers. In the case of the first scenario of Parliament convening under changed rules or in a reduced format, will Dr. Buquicchio outline what checks and balances would be appropriate in a situation where legislation is being passed by a reduced number of representatives?