Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)

One does not often get the opportunity to speak on the way in which the workings of this House should be amended or changed. As someone who was a Whip both in Government and in Opposition in the 1980s and 1990s, I have heard much over the years about Dáil reform. I can state honestly, however, that this place is not working any better today than it was 25 years ago when there was no commission or any of the nonsense currently taking place with vast sums of money being spent, but getting us nowhere. The purpose of this Parliament is for the elected representatives to meet and to bring to the attention of the Executive the concerns of the public. That is basically what this is about and all the rest is simply frills. We ask ourselves how we manage this process. I may table a parliamentary question but the quality of the reply has deteriorated significantly, especially if it is an oral question. We decided that we would draw up and use a list but the Departments are aware well in advance the numbers of questions that are likely to be reached. As a former Minister I had to raise the matter with the Secretary General at the time. I realise that if it is unlikely that the question will be reached, the quality of the answer reduces, which is a flagrant abuse of democracy. Any Dáil should ensure the right to ask a parliamentary question and to a proper and full answer.

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