Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)

——and whose disappointment may not be assuaged.

During my time in this House I have seen numerous changes, many not for the betterment of Parliament. There has been a dramatic growth in the number of committees. Government has a preponderance of power in all committees. I will go into that in a minute. Initially the purpose of that growth was to provide a means of placating Government backbenchers. That still remains the case. I can understand that but, unfortunately, it indicates that we are heading towards a one-party State. That is a serious matter.

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