Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

The committee system is of major importance to the work of the Oireachtas and an essential element in proper democratic representation for the people who elect the members. It is amazing they are of such relatively recent origin and that it took the Oireachtas so long to see the vital role committee work plays in representative government. We are all aware that very often far more detailed and constructive work is done in committee than here in the Dáil Chamber. Committees are vital to legislative work and allow for real and constructive input to the Committee Stage of Bills. Too often Governments adopt a rigid approach and refuse to take on board valid and often non-controversial amendments from Opposition Deputies, solely on the basis that the Opposition tabled them. This is not always the case and where there is real engagement across all parties, very valuable work can be done. It is long overdue that we dispensed with the ridiculous rule — I emphasise this — that amendments tabled by Opposition Deputies may not lead to a charge on the Exchequer. This rule hampers real engagement on much legislation and makes a nonsense, for example, of the annual passage of the finance Bill.

It is disgraceful that no Oireachtas committees have been formed since the general election four months ago. The Dáil and Seanad did not return until the end of September. No committee work was done in August or September because the committees were not in place. In my view this brings the Dáil and Seanad into disrepute. It must be stated clearly that every Deputy and Senator should have the right to a place on an Oireachtas committee. Obviously all Members cannot serve on the committee of his or her choice. However, in order to fulfil his or her role as a public representative comprehensively, it must be accepted and not seen as a concession that every Members should have access to the committee system. It is totally unacceptable that committee places are divvied out by the larger parties and that smaller parties such as Sinn Féin and Independents must depend on the larger parties giving up places allocated to them to become a member of a committee. This must change and each member and the sector of the electorate he or she represents must be given due and equal recognition in the Houses of the Oireachtas. That is not the case currently, as the Minister of State knows only too well, as he and I have addressed it repeatedly since the general election in May.

The Government closely guards its majority on committees and its power to nominate committee chairpersons. The position of chairperson should be shared out and rotated on a yearly or two yearly basis. The positions of chairpersons should not be doled out as goodies for Government backbenchers and disappointed aspirants to ministerial office. While the Government jealously guards its committee places, it is not so vigilant about ensuring its members fully participate in committee work. I found that while Opposition Members have good attendance records, they are faced with one or two representatives at meetings from the Government side who are in to keep the side up.

The media have a major responsibility to reflect the importance of committee work, which is something they have failed to do. Starving the work of Deputies and Senators of the important oxygen of media attention has ill served the very important work that I know the committee system addresses in Parliament. It is important the media take on board that they have a responsibility to adequately and properly inform the electorate of the extent of the work of Deputies and Senators in these Houses. I encourage the reporters and their editors, including the broadcast media, to take a greater interest in and accept the validity of the case for more and greater attention to the work of committees. Perhaps RTE might consider extending "Oireachtas Report" rather than cutting the already inadequate attention that some Members receive.

I have noted the Minister of State's comments on the proposed committee for children. I will give the Minister a moment to bring his attention to this matter.

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