Seanad debates

Friday, 19 July 2013

Houses of the Oireachtas (Inquiries, Privileges and Procedures) Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages

 

12:35 pm

Photo of Susan O'KeeffeSusan O'Keeffe (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I commend the Minister on this important legislation. I thank and pay tribute to his officials for the efforts they have shown. This has been a particularly difficult Bill to get right. On a day when the House finds itself in a confused state, the consensus on the Bill is worth noting. The House recognises the importance of this kind of legislation, that it is a part of the Government's programme of reform and that the Minister has been pushing this agenda hard, as committed to under the programme for Government, particularly on the part of the Labour Party.

In the programme for Government, reform became necessary because people voted for change and reform in the way we do our business, and that is being reflected in this legislation and other Bills, including one to extend the power of the Ombudsman, forthcoming whistleblower legislation, a register for lobbyists and other matters relating to more transparency in the way we do business in this country and in line with other countries in Europe. It is an important day for this House, despite the apparent confusion in it, and we should put it on record that there is consensus for this Bill. We welcome it and I look forward in particular to seeing that the operation of the committees taking part and doing the business of the inquiries is in an independent way of Government. That is what the Minister has striven to put into the legislation, and I look forward to being part of a group of Senators and Deputies who will uphold that independence.

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