Michael McDowell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I have a problem with the Order of Business in the time allocated for the Taoiseach's visit on Thursday. The nature of my problem is that an hour and a half has been allocated. Presumably, the Taoiseach will have the bones of half an hour to address us and a quarter of an hour at the end, with the remaining time to be divided between the spokespersons for the six groups represented in this House, who will have eight minutes each, leaving a pitiful amount of time for other Members of the House in which to contribute. I note that the schedule, as proposed, states Members may share time. How exactly can one share three minutes? I do not know. Even in being very economical in making speeches, it is not really dignified to expect Members of a House of Parliament to make a point in 90 seconds. I, therefore, object to the allocation of time proposed.

The other day I heard a member of the Government say on radio that the judicial council legislation and the capping of damages were being held up in this House in considering the Judicial Appointments Commission Bill. That is simply false. The Judicial Appointments Commission Bill has passed through Committee Stage and the only thing holding it back is the Government's consideration of Report Stage amendments. The Bill has had a fair wind in this House. It is completely false to give the public the impression that consideration of the question of civil liability and damages is being held up because of the length of time it is taking to consider the judicial appointments commission legislation. The time allocated to debate the Bill is a matter for the Government, as is the order of priority of legislation. The third point I wish to make is that this House is now more than halfway through its expected term and we have made very little progress on its reform. The people of Ireland voted to retain this House and they were told by the then Taoiseach, Deputy Enda Kenny, that he would embark on a programme of reform. It was included in the programme for Government that he negotiated. That was nearly the end of the story because nothing was done about it until the Taoiseach established a group chaired by me, despite the opposition of the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Ross. The group produced a report. Appended to the report was legislation, drafted by a draftsman paid for by the Department of the Taoiseach, to implement the reform on a phased basis, with nothing rushed. Nobody in the House was likely to be affected by it for a term and a half at least. Most Members, if they are re-elected, are assured of two further terms in the House if they play their cards correctly.

In those circumstances we have surely reached a stage now where something should be done about this. It is cynical to the greatest extent to see this simply left aside and put on a shelf. It is about time we confronted the issue. I must now make it a public issue. I have been reluctant to do so but the only way to get action on it is to bring it to the attention of the public, which I intend to do. I have limited powers of attracting publicity but I will deploy such powers as I have in that respect to ensure some progress is made, one way or the other, with that legislation.