Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

As for the idea of a committee with 26 politicians on it talking about Seanad reform and the possibility of experts being attached to it as well, I wish all those involved well.

Did the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport nominate himself? Is this a new procedure, whereby Ministers can sit on such committees? What is the purpose of the Minister sitting on the committee? The committee will report, presumably, to the Taoiseach and the Government. Does the Minister not trust what the Government might do with the report? Does he think that it might be binned or shredded and that it might never been seen or does he have particular insights, having been a denizen of the Seanad over many long decades? Is he perhaps out to settle scores? We all heard about a recent episode in the canteen which seemed to be quite colourful and heated in nature, involving a dispute with former allies. Perhaps he has it in for some of the former or current Members of the Seanad. Can the Taoiseach enlighten us on the change in procedures? Does he feel it is helpful that Ministers can now nominate themselves or be nominated to this kind of committee?

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