Written answers

Tuesday, 9 July 2013

Department of An Taoiseach

Dáil Reform

Photo of Stephen DonnellyStephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Independent)
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124. To ask the Taoiseach subsequent to comments made in response to questions on 2 July 2013, if he will include independent Deputies or representatives from the independent Deputies in all discussions on parliamentary reform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33149/13]

Photo of Enda KennyEnda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The Programme for Government sets out an ambitious Oireachtas Reform agenda which includes the enhancing of the Oireachtas Committee System and the reform of Dáil procedure. The Government has already introduced a wide range of Dáil reform measures, including:

- An increased number of Dáil sitting days

- An additional Leaders Questions session on Thursdays;

- The introduction of Topical Issues Debates;

- Friday sittings to give TDs the opportunity to introduce their own Bills enhancing the TDs legislative role, and

- A restructured Oireachtas Committee System.

Oireachtas reform has been discussed at the weekly Whips meetings, the Dáil Committee on Procedure & Privileges chaired by the Ceann Comhairle and the Dáil Reform Sub-Committee chaired by the Government Chief Whip.

The Whip of the Technical Group attends the Whips meetings on behalf of her colleagues and is a member of both the Dáil Committee on Procedure & Privileges and the Dáil Reform Sub- Committee. The Dáil Reform Sub-Committee has on a number of occasions since March 2011 discussed in detail Dáil Reform proposals submitted by members of the House. The Government Chief Whip has also met individual Members of the House who have contacted him with Dáil Reform proposals of their own.

In 2011 the Government introduced a new Committee system structure along with a package of Dáil reforms designed as the first phase in the process of reforming Dáil procedure. In June 2012 the Oireachtas Committee system was further restructured. In June 2013, with the publication of the Bill to hold a referendum on the abolition of the Seanad, the Government set out a number of Dáil Reforms necessary for the move to a unicameral parliamentary system.

The Government Chief Whip, along with Dáil Whips from all the political parties and the Technical Group, the Ceann Comhairle, the Chair of the Working Group of Committee Chairs and officials in Leinster House have been involved in developing the next phase of Dáil and Oireachtas Committee reforms. The Government Chief Whip proposes to bring forward this phase of Dáil Reforms in the coming months with the new procedures in place later this year.

The process of Oireachtas Reform is an ongoing one. Following the introduction of this current phase of Dáil reforms, consultation on further Oireachtas Reforms will take place involving, among others, all the Dáil Whips, including the Technical Group Whip. Any Member of the House who has Dáil reform proposals can contact the Government Chief Whip directly to discuss those proposals in detail and they will be considered as part of the ongoing process of Dáil reform.

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