DELAY IS the great enemy of change. The longer ministers are in office, the less appetite they tend to have for fundamental reform. A restructuring of Dáil business procedures and sitting days is due to be announced next week. But details of legislation providing for a radical rebalancing of the relationship between the Executive and parliament, promised by both Fine Gael and the Labour Party in opposition, may be delayed into the autumn.
Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin walked out of the Dáil this week when Taoiseach Enda Kenny failed to respond to his questions. His action reflected a frustration that had become ingrained on the opposition benches. Revised Dáil rules and procedures, it is hoped, will deal with such matters. At the very least, the proposed reforms are expected to increase the number of Dáil sitting days; shorten holiday periods and provide opposition parties with a more effective supervisory role. The number of committees will be halved but their powers will be enhanced.
Legal problems, along with resistance by civil and public servants, may make it more difficult to address ministerial and management failures that contributed to the economic crash. Failure to do so would risk a continuation of poor planning and public unaccountability. In that regard, the scope of legislation dealing with cabinet secrecy and freedom of information will be crucial. Similarly, legislation specifying the legal responsibility of ministers and their civil servants in decision-taking; the release of planning details and new powers of oversight and investigation by committees, are all intended to contribute to a more transparent and accountable system.
Immediate reforms will involve day-to-day Dáil business. Summer holidays will be cut by about a month and, for a start, TDs will sit at least one Friday in four. Draft legislation will be sent to committees for early consideration. Opposition parties will be allowed to introduce and debate private member Bills. Topical issues will be raised in the Dáil in time for the evening news and ministers will be required to take questions. Use of guillotine motions to pass legislation will be restricted. These are not revolutionary changes, but they mark a considerable advance on what went before and are designed to increase parliament’s profile and relevance. The real test of the Government’s commitment to change will come in the autumn, along with various referendums and details of legislation designed to improve public accountability and oversight of official decision-making.