Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)

That is also part of a TD's work. We have to take that into account. People might have criticised the proposal to have Friday sittings but I believe they can work. It is a new proposal. Friday sittings of this House are very rare. Giving Members from all of sides of the House a chance to introduce their own Private Members' Bill represents a huge opportunity for people. I very much look forward to people who have been grandstanding for the last while about not having sufficient time or the opportunity to bring forward legislation to now doing so. I look forward to Deputy Boyd Barrett, Deputy Higgins and others bringing forward their own Private Members' Bills. When one brings forward a Private Members' Bill, one does not simply write the provisions to be included in it on the back of cigarette box. Meaningful thought and research is involved in that process. I very much look forward to that happening. We have excellent research facilities in the Library and Research Service of the House. The staff there would be only too willing to assist Members to bring forward their proposals. I very much look forward to Members across the divide in the House bringing forward their proposals.

On the streamlining of the Order of Business, everyone would agree that the Order of Business can turn into a circus at times. That is why we propose to limit the time of the Order of Business to 30 minutes on a Tuesday and a Wednesday and to 20 minutes on a Thursday morning. This Chamber is about passing laws, Bills and legislation. We need only consider the amount of time devoted to debating legislation in this House, but that is what we were elected to do. We were elected to debate legislation in the House as a national Parliament.

It is also important for people to be able to bring up local issues. Some people might call that parish pump politics but it is about bringing local issues to the attention of the House and that of the relevant Minister and for him or her to have an opportunity to reply to them.

We are extending the time allocated for oral parliamentary questions to Ministers on a Tuesday and the Dail will sit earlier on a Tuesday. I want to ensure that a senior Minister, or a Minister relevant to the Department to which a Private Members' Bill is being addressed, will be present for the topical issue debate and debates on Private Members' Bills to give his on her view on the matter being debated.

I thank everyone for their co-operation. I believe this is a positive step forward for all Members. I believe it will ensure the Executive is held more to account.

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