Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I do not pretend to be objective in doing an analysis of the Government's first year but many people, even the most objective of them, would not say it has been a productive year either for this Dáil or the Government because of the nature of this Dáil. Bluntly, the Taoiseach knows and I am sure he would admit it privately that senior officials in Departments are not bringing matters to Ministers or the Cabinet, unless they are absolutely essential. This is not only because of a fear they will not get through the Oireachtas without amendments they do not want but because they are not even sure they will get them through the Cabinet. We can survive on that for a while but it cannot go on for too long. There are too many extraordinarily big issues to be addressed, including some of the social issues referenced by other Deputies, such as housing, health, etc. We must also consider the fundamental external threats to our well-being, such as Brexit and the economic policies of the US President.

I will ask a question of one aspect of the Government's agenda and trumpeted in its progress report, which is the reform agenda. Despite what is in the agreement with Fianna Fáil, not a single piece of Opposition legislation has been enacted from 140 pieces of legislation. There is a pretence that all Deputies in the House can bring forward legislation and advance it. We had the difficulty with the money messages which I think has been resolved, certainly with regard to a number of Bills of which I am aware. Is there a commitment to genuinely progress proposals which are fit for purpose, are crafted well and might need minor amendment? I heard what the Taoiseach said to Deputy O'Dea earlier. Will such Bills be allowed to proceed to enactment?

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