Statement following meeting of Dáil Business Committee and Seanad Committee on Parliamentary Privileges and Oversight to discuss letter received from President Higgins

All Members in their contributions welcomed and recognised the importance of the intervention by the President. Discussions were very positive and it was unanimously agreed that:

·        All parties and groups in both Houses will be invited to make written submissions by the end of August on improving the legislative process.

·        The Ceann Comhairle and the Cathaoirleach will jointly write to all Ministers to seek their proposals on how Departmental legislative programmes can be progressed more smoothly throughout the year; and the Secretary General of the Houses of the Oireachtas will write in similar terms to all Secretaries General of Government Departments.

·        The Ceann Comhairle and the Cathaoirleach will request a meeting with the Taoiseach and the Attorney General in early September to discuss legislative programming and in particular whether additional resources to draft Government legislation are required by the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel.

·        Both Committees will meet jointly again in early September to consider the submissions and the outcome of the meeting with the Taoiseach with a view to making proposals for the next parliamentary term.