Tom Kitt (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)

The Government legislation committee which I chair is an ad hoc body that has operated since 1985. It assists me in a practical way in compiling accurate information about the current status of legislation in preparation so that I can report to Government through the Taoiseach. It enables me to plan each Dáil session based on reports and information from the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel and Departments. Prior to the beginning of each Dáil session the committee, in consultation with Departments and the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel, assists me in preparing the legislative programme for that Dáil session, which is then approved by the Government and published. The programme is the main output of the committee.

The committee also assists me on an ongoing basis in discharging my functions in regard to implementation of the legislative programme in ensuring a steady flow of legislation in the Houses. A key function of the committee is to identify and remove any blockages that may occur in the drafting and other preparatory stages. Through the work of the committee I am in a position to provide up to date information to the Taoiseach so he can respond to the many requests he receives from Deputies in the House about progress in the drafting of promised legislation. The committee does not address the substantive issues of the legislation, which are matters for the sponsoring Departments.

The committee, which meets every few weeks, comprises the Attorney General, Chief Parliamentary Counsel, programme managers for each of the parties in Government, the Leader of the Seanad and a principal officer from the Department of the Taoiseach. Other officials and advisors attend as appropriate and, from time to time, Ministers attend to clarify their legislative priorities.

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