Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

I take issue with two elements of the Minister of State's reply. To describe the programme of reform as ambitious is a complete exaggeration. It is anything but ambitious and I am sure the Minister of State will agree. It is very superficial and shallow parliamentary reform that bears no relationship to the commitments given to the people of comprehensive parliamentary and political reform prior to the general election. The Minister of State promised that there would be a review - not monitoring, ongoing review or any such clever language - to be followed by an evaluation of the changes that have taken place so far. He promised that there would be consultations with other parties in the House giving us a chance to make commentary on them. The matter of topical issues was one floated by the previous Government. I put it to the Minister of State that the Friday sittings are a sham.

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