David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)

The Taoiseach has said the Chief Whip has several responsibilities, the first being to order Government business and the second, Dáil reform. Is it the Taoiseach's policy to bring forward a comprehensive package as has been attempted and failed in the past 20 years, or does he agree that it is necessary to examine the daily procedures and privileges? There are proposals agreed by most parties under the auspices of the Ceann Comhairle. These changes could be made tomorrow, for instance, those relating to the Adjournment debate; it would only be a matter of swapping e-mails. A Minister comes into the House and responds to a Deputy without having heard him or her, which the Taoiseach must agree is ridiculous. Every day Deputies seek to raise matters under Standing Order 32 out of sheer frustration because there is no other way to raise current issues in the House. These two changes could be made immediately without any major fuss or bother.

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