Significant cuts in the number of TDs and more sitting days for the Dáil and Seanad are expected to be key elements in a Fine Gael reform package, due to be agreed within weeks, writes Mark Hennessy, Political Correspondent.
The party's frontbench discussed a draft document at its meeting last week, and more discussions are scheduled for next week before a final package is put before the full parliamentary party.
Under the draft the current Oireachtas 31-week calendar would be increased "easily up 40 weeks" with the addition of sittings during September, early January, and with the scrapping of week-long, mid-term breaks.
The existing number of 166 Dáil deputies should be reduced "on a phased basis to the lowest number permitted by the Constitution", according to the draft document seen by The Irish Times.
Such a change would mean that the total could fall over time to 135/140.
"There are tolerances allowed at the moment, but the number of seats is set at the outer limits of those tolerances," said a Fine Gael source.
"There is a very strong mood for change. There is a huge sense of frustration with the way in which the Dáil is working at the moment. People are asking: 'What are we achieving in here. What are we producing?'
"People feel that plenary sessions of the Dáil should take place in September. There is also a feeling that the Christmas break is excessive," said the party figure, who has been involved in drafting the proposals.
Meanwhile, the performance of the Ceann Comhairle, the Fianna Fáil Cavan/Monaghan TD Dr Rory O'Hanlon, is implicitly criticised.
"The Ceann Comhairle should be diligent in requiring Ministers to be accountable. He should ensure that Government announcements are always made in the House, and that replies to questions are according to a specific code of practice.
"Specifically, he should be given explicit power to refer a reply to a Parliamentary Question back to a Minister if he feels that it does not adequately answer the question asked," the Fine Gael document proposes.
Acknowledging that criticising the Ceann Comhairle is akin to complaining about a referee, Fine Gael said Dr O'Hanlon was "punctilious" that the Opposition obeyed Dáil rules, but Ministers rarely faced similar standards.
Besides extra sitting weeks, the Dáil week should be extended from three days a week "so that more topical issues can be addressed", though this would have to be done in a way which allowed Oireachtas committees to expand their role.
Top appointments to State boards and the civil service should be approved by Oireachtas committees in hearings similar to those held by the US House of Representatives and Senate.
Meanwhile, the current freedom enjoyed by the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, to be excused from the Dáil on Thursdays should end.
"The Taoiseach should attend the House and take Leaders' Questions on every sitting day."
In a bid to make Dáil business more topical, the Opposition should have greater freedom to ask questions about events as they happen.
"There is a huge frustration about the way things are done at the moment," said the Fine Gael source.
Opposition TDs should be able to put questions down in the morning, and get answers from a Minister "within a couple of hours". Ministers would also be required to take supplementary questions.
Currently, Opposition TDs put down questions under Section 30 of the Dáil's standing orders, but many are ruled out of order, while those that are accepted are answered by way of a five-minute prepared script from a Minister.