Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)

During the debate in the Dáil yesterday on Dáil reform, the Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach, Deputy Pat Carey, indicated the decision made earlier concerning the abolition of Dáil committees and to reduce the number to 15 had been effectively abolished. I am unsure if that is exactly what he stated and perhaps the Tánaiste could clarify whether the decision to reduce Dáil committees to 15 from 22 will be carried out. What is the position on the matter?

On the matter of secondary legislation also arising from that Dáil debate yesterday, the Leas-Cheann Comhairle will recall that the Dáil passed legislation on foot of a recommendation of the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission empowering the Minister for Finance to make regulations to introduce a single, verifiable parliamentary allowance rather than the whole clatter of allowances currently paid to Members. The law has been passed by the House. In the matter of that secondary legislation will the Tánaiste indicate when we can expect to see the Minister making the Order in this case?

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