asked the Taoiseach if he will take the initiative in setting up an all-party committee to consider the reform of the Dáil as an institution.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dáil Reform Committee.
3.
I feel that this is a matter which should first be considered by the Committee on Procedure and Privileges.
Do I not recall that in answer to a question of mine nearly a year ago the Taoiseach saw no particular reason for changing the procedure of the Dáil?
The Deputy might also recall that I mentioned that there were some proposals in the Labour Party document which merited consideration. He might also recall that the Committee on Procedure and Privileges had it under consideration at least at one meeting and I understood they were to continue their consideration of it.
May I ask the Taoiseach if he would devote a minute or two tonight to encouraging the Committee on Procedure and Privileges to have some changes, not necessarily specified?
I might not have much time. I cannot deal with everything in three-quarters of an hour.
On that point—I do not know at what time one should move it—but the Taoiseach has pleaded on occasions, and rightly so, I suppose, that he did not have sufficient time to reply to a long debate like this. As far as my party are concerned we would be prepared to sit until, say, 10 or 11 o'clock so that the Taoiseach would be able to deal adequately with the various points that been raised.
The House has made an order. I cannot change it.
Perhaps the Ceann Comhairle could assist me in this. If there was a volume of opinion in the House to the effect that we should extend the sitting and extend the Taoiseach's time to reply to the various points raised in the debate, how does one go about doing that?
The House has already adopted a resolution on this matter.
I know, but how can that decision be amended to give the Taoiseach more time?
It is not the usual practice to amend an order to which the House has agreed.
Apart from practice, is there any way by which I could move that the House should sit until 10 o'clock in order to give the Taoiseach two hours?
If the Deputy is concerned only with procedure, I am certainly prepared to consider whatever will emerge from the Committee on Procedure and Privileges. I have not closed my mind on the subject.
Is the Taoiseach aware that the Committee on Procedure and Privileges of this Dáil, so far as I know, have not considered this? It was the previous Dáil.
I agree. I said that.
Would the Taoiseach consider asking his Whip or his Parliamentary Secretary to initiate this discussion under the present Dáil?
One must assume that there is continuity in these things and that they are not suddenly dropped and never taken up again. This is one of the things that I think should be taken up again and I will facilitate its being taken up again.
We are having a long recess. Would the Taoiseach agree to give the support of his party to tripartite meetings on procedure for Dáil reform? This would be one useful activity in which we could participate during this very long recess and, when the Dáil resumes proceedings, we could have reports ready to hand at that time.
If the Labour Party's purpose is to expedite and streamline Dáil procedure we already have a committee which deals with that matter and I do not see any merit in superimposing another committee on top of the first one.
It does not deal with it.
Is the Taoiseach aware that this committee is, in fact, an instrument of his own party in its present proceedings? Is he further aware that this Committee on Procedure and Privileges, in fact, find it of more interest—as they did earlier this year—to bring forward very expeditiously a ruling against a Deputy of this party and have no——
This is a matter that does not arise. The Deputy may not make a speech. Will the Deputy please resume his seat? I am calling Question No. 4.