merrion street

Government Chief Whip, Minister Paul Kehoe TD, has described today’s first Dáil extra sitting to debate legislation from an individual TD as a visual example of the Government’s commitment to Dáil reform.

Speaking today Minister Kehoe said

“Today’s debate on a Bill that came from an individual TD rather than the Government or an Opposition Group or Party is a visual example that this Government has started the process of Dáil Reform.”

“This Government committed in our Programme for Government to enhancing the role of the TD in creating legislation. It is important that all TDs in this House and not just Government Ministers and Opposition frontbenchers have an opportunity to introduce their own legislation and have that legislation debated on the floor of Dáil.”

“All too often the members of this House are criticised for being more concerned about local politics and neglecting their role as legislators. In many cases TDs who want to play a greater role as legislators have been denied the opportunity by the failure of former Governments to reform the Dáil.”

“This Government has committed to introducing a major package of political reforms and Dáil Reform is just one aspect of this.”

“TDs from all political parties and none have welcomed the new system we introduced in the Dáil today. A large number of TDs, including Government and Opposition TDs, attended and spoke on today’s debate on Deputy Peadar Toibin’s Industrial Relations (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2011 and this proves that TDs are willing to embrace Government Dáil Reforms.”