Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

In the White Paper on regulatory reform, there is a list of actions relating to the legislative process. I raised with the Taoiseach's predecessor on many occasions the requirement to have prior sight of the heads of a Bill by Members of these Houses. The Taoiseach's predecessor gave repeated commitments that, where at all possible, he would take a proactive position in encouraging Ministers in the various Departments to respond positively to my and other Deputies' requests in this regard.

Does the Taoiseach accept that it can often be a difficult and challenging period for Opposition Deputies between sight of legislation and when they must respond in the House because often very little time is provided for that? In terms of improving the engagement and contribution of Opposition Members, does the Taoiseach accept that the publication of the heads of a Bill in advance, giving a sense of the content, focus and address of the legislation, would be of huge benefit and would significantly contribute to an improved quality of discussion on the floor of the House?

What steps has the Taoiseach taken to endeavour to build on the stated position of the former Taoiseach? Does he accept there has been little evidence of any co-operation with the former Taoiseach's stated view on the matter? Does he also accept that in most cases we do not have sight of the heads of the Bills and that the stated intent of the former Taoiseach has not been met by the actions of the various Ministers and Departments?

I am sorry the Ceann Comhairle is absent for my next point. I beg the indulgence of the Leas-Cheann Comhairle to record my welcome of recent correspondence from the Ceann Comhairle signalling the advent of preparatory committees in both the Houses of the Oireachtas and, correspondingly, in the Assembly in Belfast working towards the all-Ireland interparliamentary forum. I welcome that development. Could the Taoiseach indicate whether legislation is required for the establishment of the all-Ireland interparliamentary forum and the all-Ireland civic forum, both of which are promised entities under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement?

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