Pat Deering (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)

I am pleased to have an opportunity to contribute to the debate on this important issue. Like many other Deputies, particularly on this side of the House, I fought the recent general election on a reform platform and I support the radical reform proposals in the programme for Government. It is ironic that the Technical Group should introduce this motion given this Government's reform programme is more progressive than that of any of its predecessors.

The reform agenda kicked off on day one of the Government's appointment with reductions in remuneration for the Taoiseach and Ministers. One of the Taoiseach's first acts was to reduce his own salary to €200,000. This was followed by a restructuring of the ministerial transport system. Who could forget the sight of fleets of Government Mercedes driving into Farmleigh and Government Buildings, sending out all the wrong signals? Under the new Administration only a few Ministers have access to State cars. These reforms will be followed by a reduction in the number of Deputies once the boundary commission has reported. In addition, the people will have their say next year on whether the Seanad should be retained.

The most important area of reform must be in local government. The most frustrating aspect of my time as a local authority representative was that local government cannot finance itself. The Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Hogan, must be commended on his first step towards reform through the announcement yesterday of a new household charge. Although it has been described as harsh by some the charge will ensure money is ring-fenced for local government. For the first time in years local authorities will be able to raise their own funding. This will take the pressure off and may allow them, for example, to reduce commercial rates, a major bugbear for businesses in every town in the State since the recession began.

I have some concerns about the introduction of a 30% quota of female candidates for all political parties. Women should be elected as a right rather than as a consequence of a quota. There are many fine women involved in politics and many more will become involved in the coming years, with or without a quota.

Important first steps have already been taken, even though we have only been in government for 80 days. By the time of the next election I am confident that radical reform will have been achieved.

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