Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)

In addition to the introduction of a "topical issues" time and improvements in the visibility of committee work, our aim must also be to continue with our special debates on topical matters and substantive issues in the extra weeks in January and September. This will improve our role as a representative body. However, it is also important that we communicate to the public the way we do business inside the House and interact with the electorate. This is the only means of reducing the apathy that exists among the public towards politicians. One way of doing so is to avail of the increased opportunities that exist for new technologies.

We make considerable personal contact with constituents, representative groups and interest groups, and this forms a vitally important part of the work of every Deputy. However, modern technology affords us the opportunity to connect with a much wider group of people and people with a broader agenda. Obviously, television and radio broadcasting open up Dáil proceedings to public scrutiny. Unfortunately, however, programmes such as "Oireachtas Report" are only for the very dedicated. However, there is considerable scope to extend this facility. In this regard, Members will be aware of C-SPAN in the United States, which is a dedicated channel. The Oireachtas committee responsible for broadcasting has already begun work in this area and should be progressing with vigour in respect of setting up a dedicated channel to broadcast parliamentary proceedings so those interested could tune in, at any time of the day, to see the work being done in the Oireachtas.

Live webcasting of proceedings in the Dáil and committees to complement the television and radio broadcasts should also be examined.

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