Séamus Healy (Tipperary, Workers and Unemployed Action Group) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Pringle for sharing time with me.

This Dáil reform document is effectively a product of the changed landscape resulting from the general election and particularly of what I would call the "people power" we witnessed over recent years, primarily the Right2Water protests that have taken place. The protests have changed the landscape of politics. In mentioning that, it is worth noting that Irish Water has finally come clean today in regard to the payment of bills. The bill paying system has effectively collapsed, with a reduction in payments of 20% over the last quarter.

The document we have before us is like many a document in that it needs to be read in detail. The old saying that the devil is in the detail is one that needs to be taken on board in a very significant way. Unfortunately, I do not believe the document contains the details required to ensure equity and fairness to all groups and individual Members in the House. Certainly, there are improvements in the document. Participating in Leaders' Questions as a member of the old Technical Group was absolutely frustrating, not only for me but for everybody asking questions, be they party people or Independents. It simply was not possible to get replies; the Taoiseach would answer any question other than the one he was asked. I hope there will be a cultural change in this regard arising from the reform document. However, the questions Deputy Pringle has raised on the number and distribution of entitlements to ask questions on Leaders' Questions and Priority Questions and to propose Private Members' business go to the heart of what occurs in this Chamber. It is not at all clear from the document how the arrangement will work.

As I indicated, the devil is in the detail. The document does not make clear how this arrangement will work or if every grouping in the Dáil will receive fair representation. While the document may appear reasonable, it is unclear in respect of the detail provided on the number of groups and the number of questions to be allowed weekly, particularly on Leaders' Questions. If the proposed system were to operate on the basis outlined by Deputy Thomas Pringle, it would negate the entire document. Having set out to achieve a complete change of culture for this Dáil, we would like more detail on how the proposals will work in practice before deciding whether to accept them.

Every Deputy elected to the House is entitled to speak in the Chamber. We are sent here as Teachtaí Dála - messengers to parliament - to speak and be heard. Every effort should be made to ensure every Deputy and political group has fair and reasonable access to speaking rights. If the changes in train are as outlined by Deputy Pringle, unfortunately, they will not be of any great benefit.

Dáil reform is only one aspect of political reform and both are needed. Constituents must be able to recall Deputies and the right of members of the public to initiate referendums and legislative change must be reinserted in the Constitution.

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