Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)

I notice the Taoiseach said in a reply in October 2004 that the Minister of State, Deputy Treacy, will play the key role in co-ordinating and advancing preparations for the ratification of the treaty on the European constitution. Is he still working hard on that and at what stage is his preparatory work? Can we anticipate that this issue will be reopened between now and the general election?

Is it the intention of the Minister of State, Deputy Kitt, to publish a programme of Dáil reform between now and the end of the current Dáil? Does the Taoiseach accept that, notwithstanding very modest changes over the last decade, many of our citizens have a growing conviction that our business in the House is not always relevant here and that there is a necessity for us to reorder the procedures of the House to be seen to address current issues which are relevant to the people. People who watch proceedings of this House believe we are hogtied by anachronistic procedures that permit of current important matters of public affairs being debated everywhere but inside the House.

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