Tom Kitt (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)

This debate takes place at the request of the Fine Gael Party and particularly Deputy Michael D. Higgins. I sat through most of the debate today and listened carefully to what was said, and I will respond as best I can to the points raised. However, I will not be able to deal to everybody's satisfaction with all of them. I speak in that regard to the Deputies opposite.

There is an onus on me, my officials and the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission, the head of committees and the committee secretariat to respond as best as possible to the many suggestions made. There is a record of this debate. Some Members spoke of the need for records to be produced quickly. Members will be aware that an immediate record of this debate will be available. However, the issue will be taken seriously by me and many others.

The Government is involved in ongoing discussions on various positions with the Fine Gael Party, which increased its representation in the House following the recent general election. The discussions, if not already concluded, are almost concluded — I hope they will be concluded before the end of the day. I informed my colleagues opposite earlier that we should first have this debate today, listen to what people had to say and conclude those discussions.

I will respond to the comments made by Deputies Rabbitte and Flanagan as they are freshest in my mind. Deputy Rabbitte spoke about the Government trying to satisfy Deputies, but that is not the case. Many capable Members on this side and the opposite side of the House will obtain chairmanship positions in various committees. I too instance, as I did earlier, the work of the Committee of Public Accounts in terms of the DIRT inquiry. I referred to the late Jim Mitchell and I acknowledge the work done by Deputy Rabbitte and others in terms of the subsequent legislation enacted as a result of the work of that committee.

Issues arise all the time. We know, as politicians, that times change and new issues emerge be they related to children, the Constitution or whatever. Two other areas are being considered in respect of committees about which I will inform the House in due course. What I am doing is being done in good faith. I will return to the House as quickly as possible to put in place the process required to get the committees up and running. I am convinced that many able people here will make a genuine commitment to the process.

It is also proposed that reports from committees be brought into the House thus maintaining a connection between committees and the House. Many Deputies spoke about the need for greater awareness and a dedicated channel for Oireachtas proceedings. This matter will be considered by the re-established broadcasting committee. I assure Members I have taken serious note of the comments on this issue from across party lines. I will try to advance the issue. I support those who called for a dedicated Oireachtas channel. Lack of media attention has been mentioned. The Houses of the Oireachtas Commission has allocated more resources to enable better promotion of our work in the committees through media and the press office and to ensure what happens in other Parliaments is reflected here.

On Dáil reform, I was delighted to hear Deputy Kenny say that the Fine Gael Party will engage with Government on this and that there is a great deal of common ground between us. I intend to re-establish the sub-committee on Dáil reform. I have noted that there is support for bringing forth Adjournment Debates. I hope we can put the issue of whether the Taoiseach comes into the House on Thursday out of the way. We have spent four years talking about that issue and I hope it can be parked and that we can move away from it.

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