Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)

I ask Deputies to be quiet and allow me speak.

I have been a Whip for a long time and as a result I have been involved in talks about Dáil reform and I am nearly afraid to say how long that has been. The most extensive work was done by Deputies Barrett, Brennan, former Deputy Des O'Malley and myself. We were very close to agreement on a major package of reforms but the election came and caught us and now we start from scratch again with a different set of people.

The Taoiseach may agree that the mistake we made was in trying to achieve a total package rather than the approach of " softly, softly, catchy monkey" and taking it one step at a time. This might have been an easier and perhaps more effective way.

I presume the Taoiseach is aware of the steps being taken by the Ceann Comhairle to act as facilitator on the matter of reforms which would be acceptable to all, such as in Leaders' Questions and the Order of Business, concerning parliamentary questions and better planning of the parliamentary programme, the committee system and topical issues. These are all issues which have been arising and on which there is a large measure of agreement among all sides of the House. It was the case that if a significant issue could not be resolved, it stopped anything else being agreed.

Will the Taoiseach agree it could be desirable, given that the Ceann Comhairle is making his good offices available to facilitate and assist us, to move forward with these measures and try for agreement, which I believe is possible? The further steps needed could then be examined.

I refer to the issue of the special dedicated television channel. A total of 60 channels are available to the country — it could be more now with the digital service — and these can be allocated by the Government as it wishes. Deputies Barrett and Rabbitte made a proposal a long time ago for a dedicated channel for the Oireachtas. Although they may not sit down and watch us all day, the channel would be available to the public as required to enable them see what happens here and in the committees. The Taoiseach has already indicated his support.

One of the issues of Dáil reform most difficult to resolve is the time we spend in the Chamber. Various proposals have been made by both Government and Opposition but all of them would include longer sitting times and shorter recess times. I am not suggesting we argue the point across the floor of the House but it is an issue that needs to be addressed so that more legislative time is provided.

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