asked the Taoiseach when the Government intend to bring forward proposals for the reform of the Oireachtas which were promised in the Programme for Government; if it is intended to consult with the other parties in the Oireachtas prior to the finalisation of these proposals; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Oireachtas Reform.
4.
The working group appointed by the CPP on 19 September last are examining proposals for the reform of Dáil procedures, including the question of televising Dáil and committee proceedings.
The Government Chief Whip will continue the normal practice of consulting the Whips of the other parties about proposals, in advance of their being put to the House.
The clear understanding from the agreement signed between the Taoiseach's party and the Progressive Democrats was that the Government would bring forward proposals in areas such as the procedure for putting legislation through this House, the committee system, Question Time, the sub judice rule and so on whereas the sub-committee about which the Taoiseach is talking primarily deal with the question of televising the Dáil and examining a number of other relatively minor issues. Does he have any programme himself or perhaps any ministerial committee examining the question of reform of Dáil procedures?
I think it is more satisfactory to proceed with matters on an all-party basis through the Committee on Procedure and Privileges. The working group have been appointed and are considering proposals. In fact, there are some motions proposing procedural reforms on today's Order Paper already.
The point I am endeavouring to make is that, as a result of the agreement signed by the Taoiseach and the Leader of the Progressive Democrats, we were promised a programme of Dáil reform by the Government. I am endeavouring to ascertain whether the Government are now addressing themselves to this question of Dáil reform or whether they are simply side-tracking the issue, pushing it into the area of responsibility of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges, who, of course, are quite capable of examining Dáil procedures. For instance, there arises also the question of the commission on constituencies. Does the Taoiseach intend that the Committee on Procedure and Privileges will deal with that matter also?
Which matter?
The question of the review of Dáil constituencies.
No, that would be a matter for Government business.
So the Taoiseach is not prepared to——
I am calling Deputy Dukes.
The question of procedures in this House is a matter for the parties in this House. If we can agree, through the Committee on Procedure and Privileges on a set of proposals — some of which have already been agreed — then it is the duty of the Government to bring them before the House.
Therefore, the Government are just going to make proposals to the Committee on Procedure and Privileges on Dáil reform. Is that what will happen?
A Cheann Comhairle, I am reluctant to interfere because, of course, Deputy De Rossa has put his finger on something important here. Is the Taoiseach now telling the House that one of the points in the Joint Programme for Government, signed by himself, the Minister for Industry and Commerce and his colleagues, is now to be left aside? Is the Taoiseach unaware now — and was he unaware even then — that that programme included a specific statement to the effect that there would be an all-party committee of the Dáil established to sit down and recommend reforms in the way the Dáil goes about its business? Is the Taoiseach now telling us that that part of the programme is to be ignored, just as several other parts of that programme also have to be ignored?
Not at all. The Committee on Procedure and Privileges are already dealing with this matter and the remainder of the Government's undertaking in regard to it will be adhered to in due course.
Is the Taoiseach not aware that the reforms now being discussed at the Committee on Procedure and Privileges — I think without exception — have all come from the Opposition, that none has come from the Government? Is that not an indication of the fact that the Government mean absolutely nothing at all in their approach to Dáil reform?
I do not accept that.
Question No. 5, please.