Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

I also wish to reflect on the revised programme for Government. Deputy Gilmore quoted from the particular section of the programme which appears under the heading "Enhancing our democracy and public services." I agree that we should work towards legislation. Out of a renegotiated programme for Government, do both Fianna Fáil and the Green Party recognise that enhancing our democracy and public services could find a contribution from the proposals laid down in the section as already put on the record by Deputy Gilmore? Surely in that recognition both parties could agree to practice what they have already negotiated and agreed? That would be a contributory factor to, as the heading states, enhancing our democracy and public services.

Will the Taoiseach give an indication this afternoon that he will speed up the processing of the legislation? At what stage is the preparatory process? Has preparation of the legislation even begun?

Concerns have often been expressed over many years by Members of the Opposition, including me, about the appointment of citizens to State bodies. Will the Taoiseach speak to the leader of the Green Party to bring about the respective changes in advance of the legislation? Will he ensure that the legislation is fast tracked to give legislative status to the specific areas such as the number of appointments to be made by Ministers, and the number who should appropriately be nominated by Oireachtas committees? There are people out there who could bring a wealth of experience to many of these bodies, yet whose names do not appear on the short-lists that come into circulation from within a very closed shop vis-À-vis the respective Departments. In the renegotiated programme for Government, Fianna Fáil and the Green Party agreed that the process should be opened up significantly and that the conduct of this business should be improved. Will the Taoiseach undertake to initiate the practice and fast-track the legislation?

See this speech in context