Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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121. To ask the Taoiseach his plans for Dáil reform; the number of meetings regarding Dáil reform that have taken place since 2011, and the reports produced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6166/14]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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The Programme for Government outlined an ambitious agenda for Oireachtas Reform to be introduced in a phased process over the lifetime of this Government. The two phases of Dáil reform already introduced since the Government took office in March 2011 have significantly improved the working of the House. The first phase of reforms introduced in 2011 restructured the Oireachtas Committee system, introduced an additional Leaders' Questions on Thursdays, established Topical Issue Debates, allowed TDs introduce their own Bills and have them debated in the Dáil and started to develop a pre-legislative stage before Committees.

The second phase of reform expanded the Friday sittings, allowing more Private Members' Bills and Oireachtas Committee Reports to be debated in the Dáil, further developed the Pre-Legislative stage at Committee and takes steps to reduce the use of the guillotine. It now provides for new structures for interaction between the Government and the Dáil and Committees, including an annual outline to the Dáil by the Taoiseach and Tánaiste of Government Priorities, an economic update and projections for the next three years, a National Risk Assessment which will set out the risks (both financial and non-financial) which the country faces and a National Progress Report produced independently by the CSO. The Dáil continues to extend the number of days it sits and the length of those sitting days.

But this is by no means the end of the reform process. The roll-out of reforms announced in autumn 2013 will continue over the next few months as will the development of an Oireachtas Inquiry system. Work has already started on the next phase of reform. Reforms being considered for inclusion in the next phase include the establishment of an Oireachtas Inquiry system, the restructuring of Oireachtas Committees and expanding the powers and functions of those Committees, along with a number of Programme of Government commitments. The Tánaiste, the Government Chief Whip and I have met the Opposition Leaders and Whips to discuss what should be included in this phase.

The Dáil Reform Committee is chaired by the Government Chief Whip and is a sub-committee of the Dáil CPP chaired by the Ceann Comhairle. The Committee has met 8 times in the 31st Dáil. The Dáil CPP has also met on a number of occasions to discuss amendments to Standing Orders. The Dáil has discussed Dáil and Oireachtas Committee Reform on 12 occasions. The Constitutional Convention met 1 and 2 February last to discuss the issue of Dáil Reform and I look forward to seeing the Convention's Report on this in the coming weeks.