Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I refer the Taoiseach to No. 121 on the Order Paper. On numerous occasions recently the Taoiseach repeated two statements with which I strongly agree. The first of these is that there are political consequences for one's actions and second is that the Dáil shall hold the Executive to account. Does the Taoiseach agree that it is somewhat regrettable that statements on the result of the referendum are not being taken in the House today? On the second of the Taoiseach's recent statements, namely, that the Dáil shall hold the Executive to account, I am of the view that one of the political consequences of the referendum result is that the Seanad should be reformed. Neither I nor the majority of the Irish people believe the Upper House should be retained in its current form. It is regrettable that we do not have time to take statements. Rather than the leaders of the various parties and groupings meeting in a particular room, time should be made available for the taking of statements in the Dáil in order that people might outline their views. Many Government backbenchers have tabled requests for Topical Issue debates on political reform. Perhaps the latter is borne out of frustration with the fact that the issue to which I refer is not on the agenda for discussion.

There are more important issues than the reform of the Seanad. In that context and now that the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation - having managed to save 60 jobs - is available again, is there any possibility that time might be made available for No. 27 on the Order Paper, statements on the Action Plan for Jobs?

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