The Government has withdrawn proposals to change procedures in relation to how the Taoiseach is questioned in the Dáil, in the face of strong objections from the Opposition parties.
Government chief whip Tom Kitt withdrew the plan at a meeting of a Dáil sub-committee yesterday. A Government spokeswoman said changes would only be made by consensus and "nothing will be forced through".
She said the principle behind the Government's plan had been to give the Opposition more time to question Ministers on topical issues. However, Fine Gael and Labour had claimed the plan would reduce their capacity to question the Taoiseach on matters of public importance.
Under the plan, unveiled earlier this year, the Taoiseach would have been given prior notice of questions to be raised during the twice-weekly "leaders' questions" sessions. While currently the Taoiseach is not given notice of these questions, he has briefing notes prepared by his staff for these sessions which cover almost every question that is ever raised.
The proposal would also have allowed the Taoiseach to refer questions to other Ministers if he thought it appropriate. The Opposition, however, like to be able to ask the Taoiseach about any policy issue, believing this gives them better opportunities to expose Government failings.
Following the withdrawal the current system will remain consisting of two "leaders' questions" sessions per week. These involve the Taoiseach being asked one question and one follow-up question each by the leaders of Fine Gael, Labour and the Technical Group, which includes the Green Party, Sinn Féin, the Socialist Party's Joe Higgins and a number of Independents.
Labour Party whip Emmet Stagg welcomed the withdrawal of the proposal: "I hope that this attempt to kill off leaders' questions is now permanently off the agenda and that the Government will now engage in a process of constructive dialogue with the other side of the House, with a view to increased efficiency and to enable the Opposition parties to better fulfil their constitutional duty of keeping the Government to account."
Also yesterday the Government sought to stress the action it is taking to control consumer prices, after a Cabinet discussion on the impact of RTÉ's Rip Off Republic programme.
The Government spokeswoman said the programme, presented by Eddie Hobbs, had been discussed by Ministers at yesterday's Cabinet although it was not on the formal agenda.
Ministers and backbenchers believe the trenchant criticisms of the Government in relation to high prices and alleged spending inefficiency have damaged the Government.
The spokeswoman said the emphasis during yesterday's discussion was not on criticising a television programme but on consumer pricing. The recent establishment of the Government's consumer agency would have an effect on prices.