Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

Three months or 12 weeks have passed since the House met before the recess and I have become concerned regarding the structure the Taoiseach has in mind for the committee system in the House. While a meeting was held today with the Government Whip, no information was forthcoming as to the number or nature of committees to be established. Members are dealing with legislation without having committees to which Bills may be referred. Progress must be made in this regard and should have been achieved before this.

Does the Taoiseach accept the committees of the Houses are not instruments of Government? They are instruments of the Dáil to deal with its business and, as such, does he accept they should reflect the proportionality of the parties as represented in the House? The Government has an in-built majority on all such committees, which are instruments of the Dáil and not of the Government. The Taoiseach should comment in this regard.

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