Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

It is an extraordinary proposition, if one thinks about it. A quarter of the members of a committee could overrule three quarters and have a motion tabled in the House.

I have a number of reservations about this proposal. These inquiries will not be routine matters. They will demand resources and deal with matters of significant substance. Most of us believe there should at least be a case compelling enough for the majority of members of a committee to believe that there should be an inquiry into those matters.

I have a degree of experience in the Houses on a number of issues. For example, and as Deputy Pringle would know, I campaigned for a long time for an inquiry into policing in Donegal. Subsequently, we had the Morris tribunal. There was significant resistance from the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the Oireachtas of the day. The then Government had a narrow majority and voted it down.

In any issue where there is sufficient public demand, the House must yield to it. It will not be a matter of a Government denying the clamour of the people. It would be an extraordinary situation if a quarter of a committee - if there were eight members, one quarter would be two members - could overrule the other six members.

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