John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)

The Deputy asked whether some of the proposals dealt with by the sub-committee on Dáil reform could be introduced on an incremental basis. I have not had the opportunity to sit on that committee. I understand that sub-committee had eight meetings and I have read the minutes and the progress on it. However, reading those is not the same as attending and listening to the debate and discussion that lead to these developments. As I said in my opening comments, I have already had a number of informal meetings with a number of Deputies on the issue of Dáil reform. However, I intend to meet the parties to this sub-committee on a bilateral basis in the coming weeks to ascertain the priorities and to ascertain if we were to implement changes on an incremental basis what would be the areas of agreement and consensus.

Having read the minutes as opposed to having participated in the meetings, trying to introduce the grand package of events seemed to be problematic. While people broadly agreed, there was always some other requirement of one person or another. Trying to achieve that larger package through unanimous consensus seemed to be problematic. My purpose in having these bilateral meetings is to give me an opportunity, having a missed the original meetings.

I have often contributed to the Adjournment Debate. It is always much easier for a Minister or Minister of State to respond on an area relating to his or her own Department. It is interesting to note something I never had a problem doing. While I do not know whether Seanad Standing Orders allow it, frequently those contributing ask supplementary questions in the Seanad meaning that the preparation of the Minister or Minister of State responding is somewhat different. The Deputy asked whether I would take that motion today. I will not because I will not cherry pick. In the next few weeks - I am not talking about a long period of time - it is my intention to meet the Whips and those who contributed to that sub-committee on a bilateral basis to understand the areas of consensus. I broadly have no issues with what the Deputy proposes on the Adjournment Debate. However, I am not prepared to take it in isolation until I see where the other items might go.

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