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Government political reform package passed by Dáil

The Dail has today passed a package of Reforms which will see the next Oireachtas: 

  • Elect the Ceann Comhairle by secret ballot
  • Select Oireachtas Committee Chairs using the d’Hondt system
  • Require the Taoiseach appear before the Working Group of Committee Chairs twice a year to discuss matters of public policy

 Welcoming the passing of the Government's third package of Dáil reforms, Government Chief Whip Paul Kehoe said:

These reforms will strengthen the Oireachtas in both its role as a legislature and in its ability to hold the Government of the day to account. This is the third package of Dáil Reforms introduced since 2011. This Government can be proud of its record in this area.

Under the new Standing Orders, TDs will, for the first time, elect the office of Ceann Comhairle by secret ballot. The office will be more independent and the holder of the office will be directly linked to their fellow members of the Dáil like never before. Under the new system a candidate must be nominated by seven other TDs the day before the Dáil meets. When the Dáil meets, each candidate will have five minutes to address their fellow T.D.s. The election shall then proceed by secret ballot in the Dáil Chamber. After which the Dáil shall be suspended and the ballots counted by PRSTV.

Provision will also be made by Standing Orders for the proportionate allocation of Committee chairs using the d’Hondt system.  The Government of the day will no longer hold a near monopoly of Oireachtas Committee Chairs. This reform will distribute Chairs on the basis of Dáil support. Such a change will give Opposition TDs more powerful roles in the next Dáil. The Public Accounts Committee will continue to be chaired by a member of the Opposition.

The Taoiseach will be required to appear before the Working Group of Committee Chairs twice a year. This will allow the members of the Working Group to raise matters of public policy with the Taoiseach. This will further enhance the accountability of the office of the Taoiseach to the Oireachtas.