Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputies who have contributed to the debate, namely, Deputies Conway-Walsh, Sherlock, Phelan, Shortall, Ó Cuív, Collins, McGrath, O'Donoghue, Ó Snodaigh and Violet-Anne Wynne, who made some concluding comments. I will pick up on a couple of points made. Every speaker who contributed to the debate offered support for the Bill and I thank them very much for doing so.

I will respond to comments made by Deputy Róisín Shortall who referred to the Bill being rushed. It is indeed the case that I am hoping to complete all Stages this afternoon, with the co-operation of the House. I emphasise that the Bill is a consequence of engagement that has already taken place between the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission and my Department. It did not emerge from a vacuum. The figures in the Bill and the rationale for them are the consequence of a process that has taken place between my Department and the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission. The proposed costs have a very solid rationale and justification.

This leads to my second point, namely, our recognition and acknowledgement that our work involves an expense. Anyone who has the privilege of serving as a Member of this House spends much of his or her time dealing with complex situations, either on behalf of constituents or, if he or she is privileged to hold office in any way, on behalf of the country. As all speakers commented, we rely so much on our staff either here in Leinster House or in our constituency offices to support us in the discharge of our duties. I listened to the comments made regarding the need for further assistance and resources in the delivery of constituency work in particular. In the context of the support that will be needed in the next Oireachtas and Bills similar to this one that will follow, I accept this is an issue that will require further consideration. As it stands, the level of support and resources available to TDs and Senators is appropriate but I am also aware that the demands many of them are facing, particularly those who represent constituencies further away from Leinster House, are acute and considerable. My Department will certainly consider the issues the Deputies raised in future. These matters also need to be considered by the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission, on which there are representatives from all parties and none. These are the kinds of issues I hope can be further discussed when the next Dáil is formed.

I add to those of other speakers my own thanks to those with whom I have worked in the Oireachtas. I hope to have the opportunity to work with them again in the future. Obviously, that is dependent on the people of Dublin Central. Everyone spoke with great warmth about the support that is made available to us in this House, not only by our staff on whom we depend most but also by everyone else who works here, from our colleagues who support the Houses of the Oireachtas, to the ushers and those who look after the facilities. It is appropriate their work has been recognised by all who have spoken.

As for other matters related to the Bill, a further allocation for our work over the next three years is proposed. Much of that additional cost is driven by the fact that the next Dáil will be bigger, with more TDs and constituencies represented in it. The funding envelope also provides for investment in IT that will be needed to make our work more efficient and safer.

On that note, I acknowledge the TDs who have spoken for whom this afternoon could be the final time they speak in Dáil Éireann. I thank them for their great service to their constituents and for the way in which they have represented their constituents on many matters over very distinguished careers. I commend the Bill to the House.

See this speech in context