David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)

I thank the Minister of State for his reply. Will his proposals for Dáil reform be published at some stage so that the public will know Government thinking in this area? How soon will he do that? It is important that there be a public debate as well as parliamentary debate on this matter.

Can the Minister of State indicate to the House what the proposals contain? For instance, would he agree with Fine Gael motion, which has been on the Order Paper for several months, that supplementary questions could be asked on the Adjournment Debate? Would he be in favour of a commencement debate, whereby Deputies could ask Ministers questions before the day's business begins. Deputies raise matters under Standing Order 32 but they are rarely allowed. Is it not time we changed that procedure? Does the Minister of State not agree that it is archaic?

How many times has the working group met since it was established on 27 January last? What are the Minister of State's views on televising the proceedings of the Oireachtas? What is the Government's current thinking on that?

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