Dan Boyle (Green Party)

No doubt there is consideration about how these pay awards will be made and it is the subject of an ongoing debate within Cabinet. Senator Regan asked particularly about the Green Party members of the Cabinet. However, not being privy to Cabinet discussions, and rules on Cabinet confidentiality notwithstanding, I know those Ministers will be fully in accordance with the agreed Cabinet decision when it is reached. I expect that decision will be reached in September.

I believe I have covered most of the items raised by Members on the Order of Business. I would now like to provide the House with an update on Seanad reform. I have received a note from the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government which states that following the Seanad debate on Seanad reform before, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government wrote to party leaders in January seeking nominations to a proposed all-party group. Nominations received to date are Senator Alex White and Deputy Joanna Tuffy, representing the Labour Party; Senator Ciaran Cannon, leader of the Progressive Democrats, and Deputy Noel Grealish, representing the Progressive Democrats; and Senator David Norris and Senator Joe O'Toole, representing the Independent Senators. The Minister, Deputy John Gormley, will chair the group and I will represent the Green Party on it.

Other political groups have yet to respond to the invitation to participate in the group. Reminder letters were sent to the party leaders in mid-March. Notwithstanding this, the Minister has decided to expedite the process by setting a date for the first meeting of the group. His Department will be in touch with the Seanad office to set up the meeting and it is hoped the setting of a date for the meeting will encourage those who have yet to nominate people to the group to make those nominations.