Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)

We are moving away from that position by stating that the Houses of the Oireachtas are self-governing and make their own decisions, which is why we are providing them with a budget and discretion. They will no longer be obliged to have their decisions sanctioned by the Minister for Finance or whoever, as was traditionally the case. However, the Minister of State appears to be carrying over this residual power of the Taoiseach to dismiss for no other reason than precedent. Apart from precedent, is it good practice or a good idea? The Minister of State has not convinced me of that.

I am surprised that having passed through the Seanad and this House, we do not have a more adequate briefing as to why this is a good thing. Ultimately, we try to decide what is a good thing for the long term, not what has precedent or what is done in the UK. I am not persuaded by anything I have heard here but perhaps there is another reason which we have not heard. Appeals to precedent do not convince me.

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