Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 September 2013
108. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Taoiseach if he will provide an update on a possible referendum to provide constitutional status to the committees of the Houses of the Oireachtas, as committed to in the programme for Government; when he expects such a Bill to come before the Oireachtas before being put before the people; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37407/13]
View answer147. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Taoiseach his plans to implement the commitment in the Programme for Government to amend Standing Orders so that written Parliamentary Questions have to be answered within a certain number of days even during the Dáil recess; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39452/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 108 and 147 together.
The Programme for Government sets out an ambitious Oireachtas Reform agenda, which will be implemented over the lifetime of the Government on a phased basis.
Enhancing the role and powers of the Oireachtas Committees is at the heart of the Government's reform agenda.
In the summer of 2011 the first phase of reform included establishing a new Oireachtas Committee system which included a number of Programme for Government reforms designed to enhance the Committee system:
- The number of Oireachtas Committees was reduced from 25 to 16.
- A system of pre-legislative review was established under which Oireachtas Committees are involved at an early stage in the development of legislation before a Bill is published.
- A Public Service Oversight and Petitions Committee chaired by a member of the Opposition was established.
In June 2012 the Oireachtas Committee system was further re-structured:
- Dissolving and reorganising of a number of administrative Oireachtas Committees to allow the reallocation of resources towards Oireachtas Committees dealing with Government Departments.
- The establishment of an Oireachtas Committee on Jobs to focus solely on this area of Government priority.
- The establishment of an Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine to deal with the increased workload in this area in light of the proposed changes to the CAP.
- The merger of the role of Chairperson on the Oireachtas Committee on the Good Friday Agreement with that of the Irish Co-Chair of the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly.
Earlier this month the Government announced a new phase of Oireachtas Reforms which included a number of changes to enhance the powers of Oireachtas Committees and will be implemented over the next few months as well as outlining a new Committee system to be introduced after the next General Election. The changes to be introduced to Oireachtas Committees in this Dáil term include the following.
Pre-Legislation
More public involvement in law making by expanding the current Oireachtas Committee Pre-Legislative Stage. The Pre-Legislative stage before the relevant Oireachtas Committee will be required for all non-emergency legislation. Where a Minister does not bring a Bill to Committee for Pre-Legislative Stage, they will be required to outline to both the Cabinet and the Dáil the reasons for this decision. This will allow for an unprecedented and extensive engagement by the public in law making. The Committee can consult with citizens with expertise in the area, civic society groups and other interested groups – crucially, this will take place before the Legislation is drafted. Where there has been Pre-Legislative Stage the Chair or Vice Chair of the Committee will have an equal right to speak as the Minister and the Opposition spokespersons before the Dáil to outline the Committee's work.
Post-Legislation
A Minister will report to the relevant Oireachtas Select Committee within 12 months of enactment to review the functioning of the Act. This will allow for the Committee to consult with civil society groups and individuals with expertise in the relevant area.
Enhancing the role of Oireachtas Committees in the Budget Process
- April to September : In April each year the Stability Programme Update is presented by the Government to the EU. Committees can review this information and report before the Budget in October.
- October to December: The Budget and Spending Estimates will be published in October.
The Dáil and Committees will, for the first time, scrutinise the Budget proposals and the Estimates before the beginning of the financial year before any money is spent.
If the people support the proposal to abolish the Seanad, in the next Dáil, under a unicameral system, a number of Oireachtas Committee reforms will be required, including:
- A Pre-Enactment Stage will be introduced between Report Stage and Final Stage. This would be undertaken by the Committee which had considered the Bill at Pre-Legislative and Committee Stages and will allow for that Committee to make recommendations to the Dáil for approval. This will take place with all Bills except in the case of emergency legislation.
- A new structure for the Oireachtas Committee System will be established. This enhanced Committee System will have 14 Dáil Committees including:
- Four strategic committees: They will focus on issues of major strategic and political importance (including PAC, Finance & Budget, EU scrutiny and Social Affairs). They will be granted additional powers to carry out their work such as those currently allowed to PAC. They will take precedence over the sectoral committees.
- Seven sectoral committees: They will shadow Government Departments; and
- Three thematic committees: They would focus on specific issues (Oversight & Petitions, Good Friday Agreement, members’ interests).
Committee Chairs will be appointed using the d’Hondt system for a proportionate distribution of Committee Chairs between the Government and Opposition.
These Committees will have the power to consult civil society groups, advocacy groups and individuals with expertise in a specific area to inform and assist them in their work.
The provision of Constitutional status to Oireachtas Committees would be a matter to be considered in light of these developments.
Similarly, the commitment in the Programme for Government to amend Standing Orders so that Written Parliamentary Questions have to be answered within a certain number of days even during the Dáil recess will be considered as part of the ongoing Dáil Reform agenda being implemented over the lifetime of this Government.
