Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)

I have a brief question for the Taoiseach and another one for you, a Cheann Comhairle. The Taoiseach is probably aware that No. 3 on the list of non-statutory documents laid before the Dáil, guidelines on the governance of integrated local development companies and urban based partnerships, produced by the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, will mean Members of this House or the Seanad will no longer be able to hold directorships of partnership companies. This has been decided by the Minister, Deputy Ó Cuív. Will it be possible for a full discussion of the matter to take place in the House, given that a number of Members have played a strong role in local development around the country?

My second question is for you, a Cheann Comhairle. You ruled out a significant number of questions today on the spurious ground that they were not germane to the Minister for Transport. When you took over the Chair, a Cheann Comhairle, you said you were interested in reforming this House and that you would not kick questions over to quangos or various bodies outside the House but that you would hold Ministers responsible.

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