Fine Gael TD for Wicklow, Andrew Doyle, has welcomed the announcement by An Taoiseach and Government Chief Whip, Paul Kehoe TD, of measures to reform and improve Dáil Eireann.
Deputy Doyle said, “I welcome these common sense measures which will result in our national parliament working harder and better. After these reforms have been introduced, Dáil Eireann will work longer hours and will scrutinise legislation and national budgets far more effectively. Legislation has a huge impact on all our lives and I believe that these very practical measures will lead to better quality legislation.”
“The role of Oireachtas Committees in creating legislation and reviewing budgetary measures will be greatly enhanced. Significantly there will be a much increased involvement of expert members of the public and civic groups to advise Oireachtas Committees at the early stage of legislation. This will be a requirement for all pieces of legislation”, stated Deputy Doyle, who is Chairman of the Oireachtas Agriculture Committee.
“More time in the Dáil means more time examining legislation which is surely the primary role of an elected legislator. These reforms will see our Oireachtas Members spending an increased amount of time in the parliament, debating legislation. Dáil sitting hours will be increased, to allow extra time for debates, and Friday sittings will now take place every second week. This is on top of the increase in sitting hours already implemented by this Government. Backbench and Opposition TDs will also be given greater access to Ministers, to hold them to account and raise issues of concern.”
Deputy Doyle further said, “The Dáil will be given extra time to scrutinise EU matters and the Budgetary process will be made more transparent and accessible. The Department of Finance and the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council will provide a briefing to the Finance Committee before the Budget and, for the first time, Dáil Committees will scrutinise Budget proposals before any money is spent.”
“This is about making our parliament and its members work better. I want to commend Minister Kehoe for his role in bringing forward these measures and I look forward to partaking in a much improved Dáil as a result of these reforms”, concluded Deputy Doyle.