John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)

It was a general comment and I will respond to it. It should not be inferred from anything I have said or tried to convey that I am trying to stampede anything through. In response specifically to Deputy Stanton, I asked how to deal with the entire package being worked on by the sub-committee dealing with Dáil reform, which had advanced over a number of meetings, if there was no progression. Deputy Stanton asked specifically if I would consider it on an incremental basis. I am prepared to do so, which is not to suggest for a moment that I intend to stampede anything through.

I intend to convene a meeting of the sub-committee dealing with Dáil reform and although I have not sat on the committee, I have read the minutes. Before doing so I intend to have bilateral meetings with the various Whips on the committee to get a sense of their priorities and the way they see the issue. Listening to the contributions and questions from the two previous speakers, there is some difference of opinion on whether the process can be achieved incrementally. I intend to propose the series of bilateral meetings to brief myself as much as anything else. I do not for a moment agree, and I would not like it to be suggested, that the purpose is to stampede through a range of reforms.

It was suggested that it may be necessary to do this through diktat. I have not been here as long as Deputy Stagg but I recognise that the procedures in this Chamber must be improved. Efficiencies in the way we do our business are possible and would benefit everybody, not just the Government side.

See this speech in context