Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

These are the issues I want to raise with regard to the two large items of expenditure. I would love to see more detail on the costs of the banking inquiry. I know it is not possible to achieve it in this short time. I would like to see more details on the cost of the parliamentary legal advisory service and I will write directly to the Ceann Comhairle on this matter. As a Deputy I am not happy with how the system works. The Ceann Comhairle can obtain legal advice from the service on discussing motions in the Chamber, and he will allow a debate depending on the legal advice. Various committees such as the Committee of Public Accounts and the banking inquiry are smothered with legal advice and are told what they can and cannot do, but when Members come here to vote in the Chamber on a Bill with possible constitutional implications no legal advice is available. Members of the Government have the advice of the Attorney General, but Members of the Parliament casting their votes are unable to receive individual legal advice. This service needs to be available to all Members and not just to the Ceann Comhairle and select committees.

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