I welcome the outline of the Government reform of, and position on, committees as set out by the Government Chief Whip, Minister of State, Deputy Tom Kitt, who is doing excellent work in that regard and his utmost to get committees up and running. If he had his way, they would be up and running before now.

I wish to take up a point made by a number of speakers in regard Standing Order 32. This is my second term in the Dáil and for people to stand up before the Order of Business day in day out and mention items is a wasted exercise and to no avail. There are plenty of other opportunities, which I will outline, for members of the Opposition to raise issues. A lot of Dáil time and resources are wasted. In the last Dáil, members of the Opposition raised different items, particularly on health. However, those same Members rarely went near the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health and Children. Committees are a very valuable resource and much more use could be made of them by Members.

In the last Dáil, I was on the Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture and Food under the chairmanship of Deputy Johnny Brady and, in the past number of months, I was added to the Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights under the chairmanship of Deputy Ardagh. The relationship between members of those committees and the Chairmen was very open. I never saw a member of any party or none being turned down in regard to bringing in any group or raising any issue.

A lot of politics is being played in this House. Members want to talk about issues in the House but not at committees. The issue of opening up committees and having more television coverage of them was raised. While I would welcome that in one sense, I would also have reservations because some Members are inclined to play political football too much when the camera is in front of them. The committees are very open and chairmen are willing to take on any matter or have any debate. Before changing the committees, we should have a good look at the existing ones because I do not believe there is much wrong with them; Members could make much more use of them.

I look forward to seeing the new committees up and running as soon as possible. I welcome the three new committees, particularly the one with the North-South dimension. I look forward to, and will welcome, members from across the Border coming to the House to address that new committee. It is a very welcome move which, I suppose, is as a result of the Good Friday Agreement. It would not have happened but for the work of our Government on the peace process. I hope that committee does well.

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