Seanad debates

Thursday, 26 June 2003

Houses of the Oireachtas Commission Bill 2002: Second Stage.

 

The creation of the commission will add to the efficiency of how the House does its business and should add to how we are seen from the outside. Many positive comments have been made about opening up the Houses to the public. We appear occasionally on "Oireachtas Report" and are seen by whoever stays up long enough and has an interest in it. I suspect that the overall public interest is not that great, even though many people go to and fro through the Visitors' Galleries of both Houses. It was the view of the former Minister of State, Deputy Cullen, and of the Office of Public Works to open up the place. Leinster Lawn will certainly be restored. This will have an impact on car parking space. Senator Leyden referred to the importance of providing facilities for former Members. We would need to take over St. Stephen's Green to accommodate all the cars. There may be a case for us as Oireachtas Members to give an example to the general public by using public transport. That is an issue that will be addressed and this will hopefully be done in a positive manner.

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