In the modern world, where democratic accountability is under intense scrutiny, it is simply unacceptable that Government ministers should be able to avoid attending the Dáil for a period of three months.
This is not the fault of Opposition parties. The Government dictates when and for how long the Houses of Parliament meet. And successive governments have retained extraordinary holiday periods as a means of avoiding unwanted public attention and minimising criticism of their failures from Opposition parties. In spite of many shortcomings, primary Dáil sessions provide citizens with the clearest picture of the quality of administration and of decision-making being provided by government in their names.
Minister for Finance Brian Cowen took the opportunity during the week to paint a glowing picture of the Coalition Government's achievements. It had, he said, already delivered on three-quarters of the promises it made in 2002. Ireland had the best-performing economy in Europe, with the lowest level of unemployment, the lowest level of government debt and a very high rate of growth. Workers on the average industrial wage were now earning more and paying less in tax. And he rejected the view there had been widespread financial waste on Government projects.
There is no doubt the economy is performing strongly. And employment levels have never been higher. But such growth, in itself, creates problems the Government has failed to cope with. Our transport infrastructure is totally inadequate for the demands being placed upon it. And a stop-go policy on the initiation of major projects has made things worse. Our hospital services are short of beds, badly managed and under-resourced. Our mental health institutions are a disgrace. There is a major shortfall in the provision of social and affordable housing for a growing population. And inadequate and expensive childcare facilities have made life miserable for parents. Many initiatives have been promised to deal with these issues. But some are still bogged down after years of discussion. The production of legislation is painfully slow. And an ability to get things done has been seriously lacking at Government level. Consultation and further study is the favoured option.
This is not to suggest that Ministers are doing nothing during the long periods of the year the Dáil is in recess. Most of them work hard in their offices and take normal holiday breaks. And, of course, there is the ever-present constituency work.
The system of administration being operated at Leinster House is, however, seriously inefficient. Urgently-needed legislation cannot be introduced until October because the Dáil is not in session. There is no compelling reason - other than political convenience - why Ministers should not attend the Dáil during a normal working year. They are well paid. In the circumstances, they should give a lead to the public sector by embracing wide-ranging reforms.