Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)

The need for Dáil reform is demonstrated by the fact that the questions being debated today were tabled on the agenda for the Dáil in September 2007. The need to deal with how we order our business is obvious from that alone. I thank the Ceann Comhairle for the use of his good offices in bringing forward a tight package of proposals to address the essential issues affecting Deputies and how they can do their job effectively.

The issue of Leaders' Questions has been raised in that forum. My attitude is that if it is not broken, one should not fix it. As Leaders' Questions works perfectly well from the perspective of both sides of the House, it should be left alone. If the Government were to have its way and be given prior notice of the issues raised, it would remove an important feature of the discussion. I have not yet encountered a circumstance where the Taoiseach was not briefed, regardless of the issue raised. To find out the issues of the day, all he needs to do is read The Irish Times or any other newspaper for that matter — I hope none of the members of the Fourth Estate is offended by my comment that he should read The Irish Times.

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