Alex White (Labour)

When we are talking about bonuses for senior civil servants, the reform of local government or all the other issues of concern to the public, the debate should be held in the Houses of the Oireachtas and not behind closed doors so that we do not have to tune into "Morning Ireland" to find out what was happening from some poor soul who was at the meeting.

I will finish with the issue of reform and in doing so want to agree with Senator Mooney who says there is a wider issue involved. It is a pity that it would appear from the reports of the parliamentary party meeting that many members of that body seek to maintain the status quo. In particular, The Irish Times today says the Senators were saying they do not really want to see real reform. It is not a job just for Members of the Oireachtas to talk about reform of the Oireachtas or local government. We cannot leave reform of the Oireachtas to the Members of the Oireachtas.