Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I am representing Deputy Brendan Howlin who was a member of the committee. I think I am the first person to speak who was not a member. Therefore, on behalf of all Members, I thank those who served on the committee as well as the Ceann Comhairle for the work they did. I include in that regard my colleague and party leader, Deputy Brendan Howlin, who unfortunately cannot contribute at the moment.

This is very much an agreed package and we in the Labour Party will co-operate with it. That the business committee will be operating by consensus is important and will work to ensure we have a smooth running of business in this Chamber which works in the interests, above all, of the people we represent. It will in some ways take time to find its feet and we need to ensure we all co-operate from all sides to ensure it operates smoothly. As previous speakers stated, we want to ensure this is a working Dáil that does the business on behalf of the people. There has sometimes been some scepticism from the public around what goes on in here. I sincerely hope these changes will help to ensure it works well.

The Chief Whip referred to the family-friendly aspect in her introductory contribution. This is important but, inevitably, there will have to be compromise. What is family-friendly to someone living in Dublin is not necessarily family-friendly to someone living in Kerry, Donegal or west Mayo. We have to find a compromise for people who live where I live, for example. We would probably like to start early in the morning on Wednesdays and Thursdays and finish late in the evening on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and get back to our constituencies as early as possible. For people living in Dublin, family-friendly is something different. Inevitably, therefore, compromise will be required. It is a national assembly so we have to find that balance and, overall, the committee has achieved it.

There are other elements of the reform package, for example, the revamped legal services. These were also referred to by a previous speaker. These services are very important, particularly because we will now have Bills from the Opposition which will be able to travel more easily in the current configuration of the Dáil. It will be important that Members who are bringing Bills forward who are not members of Government and therefore do not have the legal advice of the Attorney General and legal sections of Departments have independent legal advice. This section is, therefore, very important, as are the budgetary office proposals. I understand, however, that they are the responsibility of the Oireachtas Commission rather than something for the Standing Orders. It will, therefore, be important that the Oireachtas Commission gets up and running. I do not know if the Chief Whip will be able to respond but there was a suggestion it might not meet until September. Will she provide clarity on the matter and confirm that it will meet as soon as possible in order that we can get these reforms up and running? I also support what Deputy O'Brien said about the committees and ensuring they are effective and work properly in relation to the various Departments and Ministers engaging with them on business and legislation.

Certain powers are available to the Chair under these revised Standing Orders only when the Ceann Comhairle or the Leas-Cheann Comhairle is in the Chair. Deputy Eugene Murphy is acting as Chairman now, but some of the powers cannot be exercised except by the Ceann Comhairle and Leas-Cheann Comhairle. I, therefore, want to make the point again that we need to remedy the deficiency with regard to the election of a Leas-Cheann Comhairle. Four Members were proposed last week but none of them succeeded in getting a majority in this House. We need to address that area.

Overall, on behalf of the Labour Party and my party leader, Deputy Brendan Howlin, I welcome the Standing Orders before us today and indicate that we will be fully supportive.

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