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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 10 Jul 1963

Vol. 204 No. 5

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Transaction of Oireachtas Business.

1.

asked the Taoiseach if he will consider the question of setting up an all-Party Committee, representative of the Dáil and Seanad, to consider the present method of dealing with public business by the Oireachtas and to make recommendations for the better distribution and transaction of such business.

On July 11th, 1962, I stated, in reply to a question by Deputy Corish, that I thought it should be possible to devise a system by which the financial business of the Dáil could be done at a time and in a manner more convenient to Deputies, and indicated the Government's willingness to discuss this possibility with the other Parties. On the following day, July 12th, 1962, I wrote to the leaders of the two main Parties in opposition requesting them to discuss with their colleagues the desirability of arranging a meeting for this purpose.

If I have reason to believe that the setting-up of an all-Party Committee, for the purpose indicated in the question, would be welcomed by the opposition Parties, I shall be prepared to take steps to this end.

In view of the fact that we go through the annual show of preparing a long list of Bills which the Taoiseach declares must be passed by the Dáil before it adjourns for the summer holidays and that we again go through the annual process of adjourning them to the Autumn session, does the Taoiseach not think it necessary now to take some steps to bring order and regulation into the way in which we transact our business?

I have just informed the Deputy that I am satisfied it is possible to devise a method by which the financial business could be done at a time and in a manner more convenient to Deputies. This is a matter I am anxious to discuss with the different Parties.

Am I correct in saying that the Taoiseach received a reply from me to his letter?

I did not receive any suggestion for a meeting to discuss the matter.

The Taoiseach received a reply from me as to his suggestion?

And then nothing happened.

Yes. Deputy Dillon said he would discuss the matter with his colleagues and communicate again. Deputy Corish replied in a similar manner but nothing has happened since.

In view of the fact that the arrangement and transaction of the business of the House have been so grossly mishandled so that we have had to leave thirty-seven items, including Estimates outstanding, would the Taoiseach reconsider his decision to adjourn the Dáil next week?

A decision to do that would not give us time to discuss the remaining Estimates within the period covered by the Vote on Account. The length of time that these Estimates are now taking means that we have not so much scope as the House would wish for a full discussion of them but I think it is possible, by one or other arrangement, to improve on this position.

Could not the Taoiseach, who is obviously the linch-pin in this whole matter, call a meeting of the different Parties to get together and form a committee to bring order out of the present chaos?

I understand the Taoiseach was notified on behalf of our Party that we were ready and willing to take part in the discussions proposed in his letter. If he was not, will he take it now from me that we are willing?

I will communicate with the Party leaders.

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