Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)

Fine. I thank everybody who contributed to the debate. There has been much proactive debate about the issue of Dáil reform in recent months. I remind the Fianna Fáil Party Whip that the only reform introduced in the 14 years of the last Government was for Leaders' Questions. That was introduced by the Ceann Comhairle at the time because the Opposition leader, Deputy Noonan, put huge pressure on the procedures that were allowed for questioning the leader of that Government. That was the only reason it was introduced at the time. It was not introduced specifically by the Chief Whip. These reforms today might not go the whole way of reforming how the House works, but they are a path to making this a better debating Chamber than it has been in recent years.

Deputy Murphy spoke about Members being in the Chamber. I know of three committees that are currently sitting, including the health committee and the Committee of Public Accounts. Members of the technical group seem very concerned about having Members present in the Chamber, but I have only seen two members of that group present during this debate on Dáil reform. It is very easy to say that we must have 60 or 70 Members in the Chamber on a full-time basis, but other work of the House must also continue.

I refer to the work of the committees, party work, and representational work involving meeting groups and delegations.

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