Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am sure the Senator will chair the committee in a way that is fair to all members. As Deputy Eoin Ó Broin knows, the committee has been given a set timeframe of three months from the date of its first public meeting in which to report to both Houses. The expert commission is due to publish its report at the end of the month. I understand the motion on the establishment of the special joint committee was discussed by the Business Committee this morning and it is appropriate to have the committee in place before the commission's report is published. It needs to be set up by the Dáil today and any vote called can take place today. As we know, the issue is one on which many Members of the House have very differing views; as such, an all-party committee, where every party and group has a voice, is the appropriate place in which to have such a discussion. The Deputy will have ample opportunities to put his views to the committee and I suggest he do so. It is being established as a joint committee in order to include Members of the Dáil and the Seanad. The membership has been designed to broadly reflect the make-up of the Dáil. In fact, it favours smaller parties and groups at the expense of the larger parties, especially the Government. That is the reality.

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