Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

The purpose of Parliament is not exclusively to deal with legislation. In many cases, one could talk about over-regulated areas in the economy. In my honest opinion, the question of the consolidation and repeal of legislation should be as much a part of the agenda as the issue of introducing more legislation.

I do not believe in relegating important debates in plenary session when there has been so much criticism about the volume of activity delegated to committees of the House. Given the criticism that there was very little coverage of committee sessions during which Deputies worked away at legislation and discussed important issues of State or policy, many Members validly believe that we should in plenary session discuss important issues such as climate change and energy security, key strategic issues not only for this country but also for Europe and the wider world. That is a good development.

That the efficacy of the House is determined by the level of legislation dealt with, be it good, bad or indifferent, is a very narrow view of the role that this Parliament can play in leading national debate. A considerable number of bad and indifferent Bills have come from the Opposition.

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