Maria Bailey (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Acting Chairman for giving me the opportunity to speak. As a new Deputy, although not a new politician, I appreciate the level of work the reform document has taken and the inclusivity that has occurred on the part of all parties in the House to reach this point. It sets a very good standard with which to begin the new Government session and is a good base from which to work. I always like to start any new endeavour from a solid foundation and the document provides it.

It is also very welcome that the Dáil will have additional powers to plan and make arrangements for its business with a new business committee that will comprise Government and Opposition members who will plan the business of the House on a weekly, sessional and yearly basis. That will lead to a more effective and productive Dáil.

I am very supportive of the new budgetary oversight committee that will be assisted in its work by a new independent budget office, which will lead to a more transparent process for all. As the previous Deputy said, if a proposal made across the floor is practical, costed and worthy of further exploration, I am sure my party will look favourably at it. However, I have been party to many local budgets, 12 in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, where people had aspirational ideas but did not find the money in the budget document to implement them, or found they would be to the detriment of proposals made in another part of the document. If a proposal is constructive and properly costed and would not be to the detriment of another measure of good standard or quality, I am sure it will be looked at favourably.

I commend the planned increased role for the office of the parliamentary legal adviser, which will assist backbenchers in the drafting of legislation they wish to bring forward. The report also recommends the establishment of a Dáil business committee to give all Deputies, irrespective of to which party they belong, a greater voice and allow a fair distribution of Dáil time between the Government and the Opposition.

I commend the rearrangement of sitting times in order that, wherever possible, the proceedings of the House will not clash with committee meetings. That will allow Members to attend both and be more effective in their endeavours. It will also make the committees more productive. Making the membership of committees smaller will allow for greater debate and more effective use of time.

As a working parent, like most of my generation because of exorbitant house prices, I very much welcome the introduction of more family-friendly hours. As politicians, we all accept the erratic hours we work which we come to expect, but for non-elected staff, this will allow for a better work-family balance also.

The reforms allow for increased time in the Dáil for Leaders' Questions, Taoiseach's Questions and questions to Ministers. The pre-legislative scrutiny of Bills has been strengthened, with interested individuals, experts and civil society groups now being involved in the legislative process from the beginning.

A number of changes are proposed to Dáil procedures which, among other things, will enhance the public's understanding of what goes on in Parliament. For instance, Members will be able to have an explanation included in the Official Report as to why they voted in a particular way. Also, for the first time, they can be recorded as abstaining in particular votes. Votes will take place at a particular time each week and when a Member asks about promised legislation on the Order of Business, the relevant Minister may reply when requested to do so by the Taoiseach.

I very much welcome this Dail reform process. It is a very good start in this new term.

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