Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

There is a fundamental principle involved in this debate which is that Dáil committees are such and are not extensions of Government and the tool of the Executive. They are there for a specific purpose. Dáil committees have different roles and responsibilities, depending on the way they are set up. I expect Members from all sides who will contribute to this debate will give their views on the relevance of committees and how they could be made more relevant and effective. Committees are instruments of the Dáil which is the complement of all elected representatives, from whatever party or none, sent here by the people. Dáil committees should reflect that proportion in membership and management.

I have long held the belief that we do not do justice to the people who serve on committees or to the issues they debate and research. From a technological point of view, there is no reason we should not have an Oireachtas channel separate from any other. It could broadcast the Dáil, Seanad and relevant committees and there would be no need for a commentary. The people are entitled to see democracy in action. It would be a public service which could be properly promoted in advance. There would always be somebody who would wish to watch it.

Over the years I have seen many Deputies attend committee meetings in the bowels of this building but the work and contribution they have made, whether valid or not, is never heard of again. In 2007, when one can switch on a computer in Auckland, New Zealand, and watch the proceedings of the Dáil, we should able to broadcast Dáil, Seanad and relevant committee proceedings on television. It would be available to schools and others. There would be little cost involved and it would be a public service.

The way we have hived off work to committees is not the way it should be done. They have been badly serviced in terms of the facilities available to public servants who attend to them. For example, during the rumpus over the summer about the landing slots moving from Shannon to Belfast, it was brought to my attention that the Oireachtas Committee on Transport, which was chaired by former Deputy Ellis, had sought legal advice on the Heathrow slots. As I was interested in the debate, I sought that legal advice. When my office contacted the relevant secretariat of that committee, it was told it could not have that information because the committee was not in session.

As we all know, transcripts of the forensic examinations of Des O'Neill at the tribunal are available two hours later. When one looks for information from, or transcripts of, committees, one cannot get them because we have not serviced them. That is fundamental to anything which happens here, that is, one must provide proper facilities for committees. Material should be available by way of CD, DVD or whatever. It should be possible to download it from the Internet so that people who have an interest in these matters can follow them.

This is not the first time we have had such a debate in the House. As Deputies Jim O'Keeffe, Shatter and Higgins know, this matter has been raised on umpteen occasions over the past 30 years. However, political will is required in terms of implementation. I remember former Deputy John Bruton in his document, A Democratic Revolution, made certain projections on how things could improve. A start was made in that regard.

I take the Minister of State's point about the improvement of facilities for the Sub-committee on EU Scrutiny. If we had debate on opt-ins or opt-outs of the legislative framework and the technicalities involved, it might save people a lot of hassle. The important point emerging from all of this is that the EU reform treaty must be passed by the people and that requires full information. When people do not have information, they feel left out.

Members sent to the House want to be able to be seen to represent their people. That is why there is always a reluctance to attend committee sessions for three or four hours which might be completely irrelevant and the work of which members know will never be seen again.

For example, there is a role for committees interviewing some of the appointees for chairpersons or members of some State boards. I do not mean there should be an inquisition but members of committees should be able to interview and understand the range of competencies a person might have to offer.

I refer to the committee about which the Minister of State spoke in respect of the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement which everybody supports. This was originally deemed to be a committee on Northern Ireland and it was to have participation by, and the support of, all the parties in the North. We need to tease out the terms of reference proposed for that committee a little more. In a way, it is ironic that we are talking about giving rights to MPs, who do not attend the House of Commons, to sit in a committee room here and debate issues. However, I fully support the work which must be done to ensure the full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement.

The Minister of State made some comments on Dáil reform. As far as I am concerned, this party will participate in discussions which will lead to real and relevant Dáil reform. When we have all left this Chamber, we should have at least put in place a base which will work in the interests of the people. From a Government point of view, people will say one cannot do that because one is giving oneself a stick with which to beat oneself if it becomes too accessible. The Taoiseach should be in the House on Thursday mornings. This is a small country and politicians are accessible to the people. That is a fundamental element but it is not the only one.

I like what the Minister of State said about Adjournment debates. At the end of an Adjournment debate, one should be able to ask a Minister two questions such as whether he or she will meet a deputation from Carrigaline or whether the Department will report in a fortnight rather than have the bland statement on which one has no comeback.

I would like to participate in Dáil reform in terms of bringing about real and effective change. I want to see the committee system operate effectively and properly resourced. I would also like to see the promotion of an Oireachtas channel so that the public is aware of what is happening in the Dáil, Seanad and relevant committees. I have sent a letter to the Minister of State on this party's increased membership of the Dáil and how that should be reflected in the membership of committees and how they are run.

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