Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Deputy Broughan referred to two new parties, the social democratic party and the reform alliance, and speaking time during Leaders' Questions. I would love to be a fly on the wall when he is selecting a leader for his party. The issue regarding Leaders' Questions will form part of future reforms. I will take on board any ideas he has. I do not say they will be implemented but I am open to discussion on them.

I take his point regarding financial scrutiny, an area in which the House has been found lacking over recent years. Each committee will have an opportunity under the most recent reforms to scrutinise the financial matters relating to the sector over which it has oversight. The Taoiseach, Tánaiste and all other Ministers will have to outline to the House their financial and social policy issues once a year. This will give the committees and Members an opportunity to examine the national reform and stability programmes we submit to the EU annually. Members will also have an opportunity to debate the Estimates around budget time. We have fallen behind in this regard during this Dáil. Perhaps we can blame the financial circumstances in which we found ourselves because there was not enough scrutiny by all Members.

The Deputy also referred to Oireachtas inquiries. We gave the people an opportunity in a referendum a number of years ago to strengthen the inquires powers of the House.

I take on board the decision of the people but I regret that decision. We could have had far stronger committees and inquiries if that referendum had been passed. The banking inquiry is coming up and I can assure the Deputy that it will be given the full backing of the Oireachtas and I have met Oireachtas staff in regard to it. It will be given every resource required to ensure we have a meaningful banking inquiry run by the Oireachtas.

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