Dún Laoghaire): I move:
(1) That it is expedient that a Joint Committee (to be called the Joint Services Committee), consisting of nine members of Dáil Éireann and nine members of Seanad Éireann, be appointed.
(i) to direct and control the Oireachtas Restaurant;
(ii) to assist and advise the Ceann Comhairle and the Cathaoirleach in the direction and control of the Oireachtas Library;
(iii) to initiate and operate an information service in respect of the work of the Houses of the Oireachtas; and
(iv) to regulate and supervise the operation of the research service for Members and to recommend to the Ceann Comhairle and the Cathaoirleach any improvements in the operation of the service which may appear to it to be desirable from time to time.
(2) That the Joint Committee have power to appoint sub-committees and to delegate any matter comprehended by paragraph (1) of this resolution to a sub-committee.
(3) That the Joint Committee and each sub-committee, previous to the commencement of business, shall elect one of its members to be Chairman, who shall have only one vote.
(4) That all questions in the Joint Committee and in each sub-committee shall be determined by a majority of votes of the members present and voting and in the event of there being an equality of votes the question shall be decided in the negative.
(5) That the quorum of the Joint Committee be five of whom at least one shall be a member of Dáil Éireann and one shall be a member of Seanad Éireann and that the quorum of each sub-committee shall be three at least one of whom shall be a member of Dáil Éireann and one a member of Seanad Éireann.
This is part of the streamlining of the committee system. The co-operation we got from the Opposition Whip in having our debates here from time to time has been greatly appreciated. This is a further extension of our efforts to streamline the Restaurant and Library Committee, but it goes further than that. If we are going to have special debates, Members should have proper research facilities. If this House is to work properly it is important that Deputies who come here on Tuesday have the facilities to work in a proper atmosphere with all the necessary information available to them and spend the bulk of their time doing what all Members were elected to do, namely, to legislate.
This committee can do a great deal of work with the co-operation of all sides of the House and I sincerely hope it will succeed. During our debate on Dáil reform it was pointed out that many new Members, including myself two years ago, find themselves at a loss because nobody knows how the system works or how to go about getting information and so on. The committee can do a great deal of work in this area. I know that Deputies share our concern at the deliberate attempt to undermine our democracy. At this time it is important that we have the necessary facilities to give information to the public about the proceedings of this House. We must continue in our efforts to improve the image of the House. I understand the wish of the Chair that all Members should behave themselves in this Chamber.
I hope the committee will see its way, with the consent of the Government, to the appointment of an information officer who could give information to members of the public, to schools and also assist Members here with information about the workings of our institutions. I know we will get the co-operation of all sides of the House in making this new committee a success. I have spoken already to the Opposition Whip and I know we can depend on him for his support.