Martin Conway (Fine Gael)

I wish the Deputy Leader well on her first day taking the Order of Business. I know that she will certainly give us replies that will be most welcome.

Every day on the Order of Business since this Seanad first met there has been commentary on political reform, whether it be on the abolition of this House or a reduction in the number of Deputies. The programme for Government commits to the establishment of a constitutional convention in this regard. I, therefore, ask the Deputy Leader to advise us on the current position on its establishment. Having a debate on political reform is extremely important. It is not the preserve of this House exclusively, rather all citizens need to be included. We are in a time of great change. A new frugality will have to prevail and there will have to political reform, whether it be in this House, the Dáil or at local government level. That debate needs to start now for there to be true political reform by the end of this Oireachtas term.

I would like to comment on media reports yesterday that it would take 18 months to set up an inspectorate to carry out whistleblowing inspections, as it were, in institutions which look after people with intellectual disabilities. I was delighted when the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, announced recently that she would recommend to the Government that it provide €6 million to carry out such inspections. I am concerned, however, that it will take 18 months to put this into action.