Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I will try to help Deputy Boyd Barrett if I may. Three issues must be decided on the Order of Business. The first relates to Standing Orders 26 and 36. On the first day I took questions I indicated to Deputy Martin and others that I hoped Deputies would have a rational discussion of how we would make this Chamber more effective, vibrant and energetic. I also spoke of requiring Ministers to be responsive to issues of the day and the questions asked.

The issue before us was raised at last week's meeting of the Whips and has been placed on the Order Paper because the flow of business in the House has not been right for some time. It is proposed that, following Leaders' Questions, we will have the Order of Business for 30 minutes and that this will be followed by Taoiseach's questions. The change would only apply on Wednesdays. It is not my intention to have this individual measure continue in perpetuity as I have a range of ideas which I have put to my party Whip. The Whips will discuss a series of radical changes to the way in which we do business at their meeting next week and this proposal can be thrown into the melting pot.

Whips were sent text messages and e-mails about this proposal yesterday. The change which was also discussed at last week's meeting of the Whips would only apply on Wednesdays. In the context of discussions at next week's meeting of the Whips on a whole series of changes to make the Dáil more relevant, effective and responsive, I ask the parties opposite to leave the proposal in place. I do not want to withdraw it because it would provide for a better flow of business. I hope we will agree on it because, as Deputy Martin will know from his years on this side of the House, the committee dealing with Dáil reform met until its members were blue in the face but nothing happened. We will see to it that something happens now.

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