Dáil reform could see budget decided by committee
The newly-formed sub-committee will also look at reducing the numbers needed to form a technical group, and seek to reform the parliamentary question system.
Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl, chairman of the sub-committee, said there is a need to re-order the Dáil so that it “more accurately reflects the real needs of a modern Ireland”.
“Today, the sub-committee made significant progress on a number of initial measures to improve and strengthen our parliamentary procedures and give more powers to the parliament and members,” he said.
He called the first meeting “constructive and positive”, adding that it “reflected the commitment and dedication of members to meaningfully reform how our parliament does its business”.
One of the more significant changes would be an overhaul of the Budgetary system, which would see power taken away from the Finance Minister of the day and given to a cross-party group.
Committee member Darragh O’Brien said: “Rightly so, there has been a lot of criticism of the Budget. We have seen it in years gone by where the government came out with a Budget and they said ‘there you go, like it or lump it’.
“We would look to set up a standing committee in the Dáil that would be a Budget Committee.”
The Fianna Fáil TD said this committee would be provided with independent legal advice.
“We want to make sure that deputies from all sides, whether they be government or opposition, have extra responsibilities and power.”
He added: “We didn’t agree anything today, there is obviously some short-term things that we would like to see done very quickly.”
Other proposals considered at the first meeting included the establishment of a business committee responsible for the scheduling and timetabling of Dáil business and allowing more than one technical group in the Dáil.
The sub-committee will finalise its discussions on April 5 and will submit an interim report on April 6.
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