Dáil Business Committee agrees establishment of Special Covid-19 Committee and resumption of most written Parliamentary Questions

A motion regarding the establishment of the Committee will form part of Wednesday’s business. The Committee which will have 19 members (4 FF, 4 FG, 4 SF and 1 for each other party/group) will meet in the Dáil chamber in order to comply with social distancing requirements.

The Committee also agreed the resumption of written Parliamentary Questions with effect from next week.  Questions to the Minister for Health will be limited to 3 per Member in view of the exceptional workload of the Department at the moment. The Questions paper of 13 May 2020 will deal with the backlog of questions and there will be a Questions paper every Wednesday thereafter.

Speaking after the meeting today, Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl TD said: “I am delighted with the agreement reached at today’s meeting. These two key decisions will enable us to fulfil our Parliamentary mandate further. It is important that Dáil Éireann has effective oversight and accountability at this time whilst adhering to public health advice. I wish to thank all parties for their cooperation in enabling us to progress these matters to this point.”