Thomas Pringle (Donegal South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I wish to speak to amendment No. 8. I tabled the amendment because of my concerns. The Minister outlined the concerns people have on the basis that 58% of the people who voted “No” to the referendum wanted the Oireachtas to have the power to inquire into issues. Everyone across the House agrees it should have such power. One of the main concerns, as highlighted by Members on this side of the House during the referendum campaign, and it is highlighted in the poll results, is that the inquiries could be seen as being politically motivated and orchestrated by a Government to have, in effect, political show trials.

Amendment No. 8 is an attempt to try to ease that situation, in that it provides that a proposal for an inquiry to be held would not pass unless two thirds of recognised Opposition Deputies supported it. This would provide a safeguard against the Executive dominating the establishment of inquiries in the House.

The Minister's responses to the other amendments were interesting. He constantly referred to the Oireachtas being able to do what it wanted. However, the fact of the matter is that it cannot. The Executive controls the House. The Executive decides what goes on the Order Paper, what is discussed and whether something is guillotined. It governs the House's workings. There may be 113 or so Government Deputies, but only 15 of them have any power in the House. This is the problem, and is what the people saw when they considered the potential risks in the referendum. The Bill can get us over the problem if amendment No. 8 is accepted so that, if a majority of Opposition Deputies are in favour, an inquiry can go ahead. This amendment should be taken on board.

This is an important matter, as the Oireachtas should be able to inquire into the issues in question in the same way as obtains in Westminster and elsewhere. Our inquiries should be quick, strong and reach findings. We and the people need to be able to see that inquiries are fair and not controlled by the Executive. In the parliaments of seven European countries, a small number of members can ensure that an inquiry is held.

Regarding constitutionality, the legislation provides in section 13 that the House shall make rules and Standing Orders on voting in inquiries. Amendment No. 8 is in line with that section. For this reason, it would be constitutional and should be taken on board.

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