Susan O'Keeffe (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I am saying that we should have a debate about that, but I am pointing it out as a point of information.

We are changing the way in which we govern and the way in which political life is being run. There was a near destruction of public confidence in politics, politicians and in the democratic system. It is a very difficult thing to try to reform. Where do we start? What do we prioritise? I know the Minister has taken much criticism and the Government has been criticised for doing nothing and people have hurled the accusation at me that there has been no change. In the way that the Minister has laid out the statistics today, it is clear that some change has occurred. People will always want more, but I believe there are more fundamental changes to come, such as the pending regulation of lobbying Bill, the Houses of the Oireachtas (Inquiries, Privileges and Procedures) Act 2013, the publication of the whistleblowers' legislation, and the reform and enhancement of the Ombudsman legislation.

Senator Byrne referred to the shovelling through, as it were, of the appointment of the new Ombudsman, but the new Ombudsman came before the Joint Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions, of which I am a member, and his appointment was discussed at that committee. That is a new committee created by the Government as part of the strengthening of the Ombudsman's office. In fairness to the Ombudsman, he did not just march through the doors.