Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Once there is progress, that is okay. Having sat here in two previous Dála looking over at the serried ranks of Fianna Fáil as they were then, the uniqueness of the Fianna Fáil seats was there were only two of them who were not a Minister, a junior Minister, a Chairman, a convenor, a Vice Chairman or whatever - all on the public purse and in some way doing Oireachtas business as they saw it. That has utterly and radically changed. All of that has gone now or significantly changed. This Oireachtas is far more efficient than previous Oireachtais. With respect, we cannot take a lecture from Deputy Ó Fearghaíl. The previous history stands for itself and the arguments of Governments in the past are clear.

Returning to the point I was making, change by consensus, the Whips sitting together and coming up with an agreement across all parties of the House, will lead to greater efficiency, better performance, more accountable Ministers and better debated Oireachtas issues. It is clear what the Government, particularly the Chief Whip, has announced so far.

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