David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)

What is the status of the working group on Dáil reform that the Government established on Dáil reform in 2009, comprising the Minister for Transport, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Senator Dan Boyle and the Government Chief Whip of the day? When did it last meet? This is probably the weakest Parliament in Europe in terms of holding the Executive to account. The Executive controls everything - the agenda, sitting times and dates, how matters are debated and for how long. Has the Minister of State looked at other Parliaments in Europe and does he not agree that the Dáil is one of weakest? We live in a benign dictatorship.

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