THE MOST substantial reform of the Dáil in a generation may become a reality in October if agreement is reached between party whips in talks facilitated by Ceann Comhairle John O’Donoghue.
There is a general consensus between Government and Opposition parties for an extension in Dáil sitting hours. However, differences have emerged over how the changes will be implemented.
The Fianna Fáil-led coalition has suggested that the Dáil sit for up to seven additional hours each week, with a 9.30am start on each sitting day as opposed to the present arrangement where the Dáil sits at 2.30pm on Tuesdays and at 10.30am on Wednesdays and Thursdays.
The extra hours will allow a number of new innovations. TDs will be able to raise current issues and avail of Ministers’ question time whereby they may directly put questions on important or topical issues. The specific Minister will be obliged to reply in the chamber within a day, if practicable.
If the changes are agreed, there will also be new rules forbidding deputies from arriving in the chamber only seconds before their speech or contributing to a debate by reading from a long script.
However, one of the main sticking points surrounds leaders’ questions. Fianna Fáil wants the time to be reduced and have also suggested that Fine Gael and Labour give notice of the question to be asked. That change has met resistance from both parties.
Commenting on a report in yesterday’s Sunday Times, Government chief whip Pat Carey said yesterday he was keen that a decision be taken within the next fortnight to go ahead with the reforms or to “stop wasting time”.
Labour whip Emmet Stagg said there was still wrangling over what might be included. He said everybody favoured longer hours and what he said were “more normal office hours”.
“Fianna Fáil still want the Opposition to give notice of the questions they will ask for leaders’ questions but that is being resisted by us,” he said.
