Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)

The programme for Government sets out an ambitious agenda of Dáil reform, which will continue to be implemented over the lifetime of the Government. In July 2011, after just four months in office, the Government introduced a package of reforms which included: Topical Issue debates; special sittings on the first Friday of a month; time limits for the Order of Business; streamlining the system of Taoiseach's Questions; a procedure to allow Deputies to raise issues regarding replies to parliamentary questions with the Ceann Comhairle; Standing Order 32 requests no longer being read out unless they are granted by the Ceann Comhairle; an additional Leaders' Questions session taken by the Tánaiste on Thursdays; and the Taoiseach being obliged to brief the Oireachtas prior to attending European Council meetings. This was just the first phase of Dáil reform and it is the Government's intention to follow it with additional reforms in the future.

My office is monitoring the day-to-day working of Dáil Éireann, Seanad Éireann and the Oireachtas committees, including the impact of the reforms we have already introduced. This ongoing review, along with our programme for Government commitments, will be the basis for further reform in this area.

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