Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 30 Jan 1990

Vol. 394 No. 8

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Reform of Dáil Procedures.

Alan M. Dukes

Ceist:

1 Mr. Dukes asked the Taoiseach the reason, at the end of 1989, he did not bring forward detailed proposals for the reform of the Oireachtas, as promised in the document The Fianna Fáil - Progressive Democrats Programme for Government 1989-1993 in the National Interest; whether it is still his intention to bring forward such proposals; if it is his intention to bring forward such proposals, when they will be brought forward; and his intentions regarding the scope and the content of any such proposals.

Peter Barry

Ceist:

2 Mr. Barry asked the Taoiseach when the detailed proposals for the reform of the Oireachtas as promised in The Fianna Fáil - Progressive Democrats Programme for Government 1989-1993 (details supplied) will be brought forward.

The Taoiseach

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 and 2 together.

On 24 October last, the House requested the Committee on Procedure and Privileges to report to it, by 31 March next, with proposals for a general programme of reform of Dáil procedures, including the question of televising Dáil and committee proceedings.

In accordance with well established practice, the Government will be submitting their proposals for reform to the CPP for consideration.

Mr. Dukes

Have the Government put any proposals to the committee in this?

The Taoiseach

The Leader of the Opposition is, I think, being slightly audacious in daring to talk about Dáil reform today when he is, for mean party political reasons, driving a bulldozer through a well-established precedent of this House.

Deputies

Answer the question.

Mr. Dukes

Does the Taoiseach not remember, or was he ever aware, that on page 28 of the Fianna Fáil — Progressive Democrats Programme for Government it is stated that before the end of 1989——

An Ceann Comhairle

I need hardly remind the Deputy that quotations are not in order at Question Time.

Mr. Dukes

That is not a quotation.

An Ceann Comhairle

It seems like one.

Mr. Dukes

It is a fairly free paraphrase — the kind of turgid prose one finds in that programme would never escape my lips. Does the Taoiseach not remember that in that document it was promised there would be proposals dealing with, for example, the procedures for bringing legislation——

An Ceann Comhairle

The Deputy is obviously continuing to quote, which is quite out of order.

Mr. Dukes

I am only saying what was in that programme. It said that procedures for the passage of legislation through the Dáil and Seanad would be the subject of proposals and that proposals in relation to Question Time would be brought forward; that proposals in relation to the committee system would be brought forward; that a proposal to deal with another matter that exercised the Minister for Industry and Commerce in the past year or two — the sub judice rule — would be brought forward and that proposals would be brought forward for involving members of the European Parliament in committees of the House in which they would have a direct interest. Is the Taoiseach now saying that six months after that was brought forward and some time after the Committee on Procedure and Privileges were given this job to do the Government have made no proposals?

The Taoiseach

The Deputy knows full well that the Government's view of these matters always is that where possible they should be dealt with on the basis of all-party agreement. That is the way to make progress. From that point of view the appropriate vehicle is the Committee on Procedure and Privileges. A fair amount of progress has been made and will continue to be made. I would remind the Deputy that respect for the precedents and traditions of this House is by far the greatest tribute he could pay to the whole question of Dáil reform.

Mr. Dukes

Is the Taoiseach now saying that the Government are not putting forward any proposals to the committee and that they do not intend bringing forward any proposals unless proposals come from somewhere else? Is he saying that this bit of that programme, like every other bit of it, is not worth the paper it is written on?

Mr. Molloy

The Deputy is pathetic.

Mr. Dukes

Where are Deputy Molloy's proposals?

Mr. Barry

There is a question in my name, No. 2.

An Ceann Comhairle

Deputy Peter Barry.

The Taoiseach

I thought the Leader of that party spoke for the Deputy as well.

Mr. Barry

We are not the party of uno duce, una voce. We are a much freer party than the Taoiseach's.

An Ceann Comhairle

We have devoted an inordinate amount of time to Questions Nos. 1 and 2. Let us have regard to other questions also. A brief supplementary from Deputy Barry.

Mr. Barry

Among the proposals which the Taoiseach said would be brought forward shortly, is there a proposal to establish a committee of this House to deal with foreign affairs?

The Taoiseach

That is a matter which can always be considered.

Mr. Barry

We have been getting the same reply from this Taoiseach of different Governments over three years. I should like something more concrete. I want to remind the Taoiseach that I have a motion on the Order Paper to establish such a committee. I would not wish to move it in Private Member's time because it would probably be carried.

The Taoiseach

I am glad the Deputy recognises my consistency in these matters.

Mr. Barry

As in everything, do nothing.