Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 5 and 6 together.

A Programme for a Partnership Government was published last May and contains a number of commitments on Dáil and Seanad reform. In December, the Government published a report on the programme setting out the progress made to date across all of Government on implementing the programme. This is the first of many regular reports to be published in addition to the annual report which will be published in May following the Government’s first year in office.

In respect of Dáil reform, this Government continues to build on the Oireachtas reform packages introduced by the previous Administration. Implementation of A Programme for a Partnership Government requires a new relationship between the Government and Oireachtas. This is reflected in significant Dáil reforms that are being implemented, providing a significantly greater role for members of Dáil Éireann. These arrangements require greater collaboration and sharing of information by the Government with the Oireachtas.

Central to our approach for delivering on this ambitious programme is the concept of good faith and no surprises. Following the general election in 2016 this Government, and the previous Government, played a crucial role in the process of Dáil reform including the first election of a Ceann Comhairle by secret ballot, the selection of Oireachtas committee chairs under a d'Hondt system and the establishment of an all-party Dáil reform committee, which has since made a number of recommendations. Within my Department, there is an expanded role for the Chief Whip to support these arrangements including supporting good communication between Departments and the Oireachtas, particularly in terms of progressing Government legislation through the Oireachtas.

The new arrangements include more proactive communication between Ministers and their Departments and Opposition spokespeople and Oireachtas committee chairpersons and Members. It requires greater sharing of information with the Oireachtas to inform its deliberations, for example through the new budgetary procedures, use of pre-legislative scrutiny by committees and more briefing on significant developments or issues. There is a new Dáil business management committee established to discuss and agree on the Dáil schedule, more time for Private Members' business, new arrangements for Topical Issue motions and reformed structures for parliamentary questions. These all require a new approach from Ministers and their Departments and the Government is committed to ensuring it works effectively.

On Seanad reform, several steps were taken by the previous Government in relation to Seanad reform and we continue to progress this matter. The programme for a partnership Government commits to pursuing the implementation of the Manning report as a priority. In response to a suggestion by Deputy Micheál Martin last year, I have indicated that, provided there is all-party support for the Manning Report, the interim implementation body proposed in the report should be set up comprising members of all parties and groups in the Dáil and the Seanad. On foot of this, I wrote to party leaders, Dáil groups and Seanad groups seeking agreement to the setting up of the implementation group and seeking nominees for same. I understand the three groups have not yet responded yet. I believe there is a bit of dispute over who should actually chair the group. I may speak with Deputy Micheál Martin about that matter.

There seem to be what one might call, shall we say, collegial tensions, to put it mildly.

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