Parliamentary questions during recess
Pearse Doherty asks whether Deputies will be able to submit parliamentary questions during recess; the Tánaiste says the Government is open to further procedural reform discussions.
I wish to ask a question about the Government's political reform agenda. It was stated that during future recess periods, Deputies should be able to access the facility of parliamentary questions, but will that happen at the end of this term?
Through statutory instruments, Governments in the past have been able to provide top-ups to certain Ministers of State who have a special role at Cabinet. Is secondary legislation expected in this session as the result of a Cabinet reshuffle?
Comment on this
The Government took the lead in initiating a range of reforms of the way in which the House does its business, including some changes to the way in which parliamentary questions are asked and to the Topical Issue debate. We are absolutely open to having an engagement with the Opposition about any further ways in which we can improve the operation of the House. It is important that the Dáil functions as effectively as possible.
I have no idea what the Deputy's second question is about.