This week the Seanad will debate a motion in private members tim
e proposed by members of the nominated senators group – the so called Endapendents. Given the reduction in the numbers of committees announced by the government last week the opportunities for experts, organisations and communities to present issues to parliamentarians will be noticeably less.
The nominated senators have formed a technical group and they are proposing a positive use of Seanad time which does more than talking about reform and concentrates on the issues and concerns of people.
In light of the commitment in the Programme for Government to overhaul the way politics and government works, Seanad Éireann recognises the need for change in how it conducts its business and agrees to:
- put in place arrangements so that this House can engage directly with well informed citizens and residents from all walks of life whose experience and expertise can contribute to debates on issues of public importance thereby adding considerable value to our work as legislators;
- invite to the floor of Seanad Éireann, on a case by case and ongoing basis, appropriate leaders and representatives of civic life who have a significant contribution to make to the deliberations of this House; and
- include in these arrangements the hosting of respectful North/South dialogue that consolidates the peace process in Northern Ireland, develops a peace dividend for all communities affected by the conflict, deepens cross-border relationships and promotes a shared approach to the significant centenaries that will arise in the next decade.
Jillian Van Turnhout, Eamonn Coghlan, Fiach MacConghail, Martin McAleese, Mary-Ann O’Brien, Marie-Louise O’Donnell, Katherine Zappone
As someone who wishes to see the Seanad reformed rather than scrapped it’s a very interesting idea and one way of making sure that the Oireachtas reaches out and that people take notice of the Seanad despite Enda’s and Eamon’s intentions.
The huge majority held by the Government and introverted move to remove and compact the Oireachtas committees means that parliamentarians may become isolated and uninformed. (I’m being generous here!) Also another concern is that the lobbying of parliamentarians will completely go behind closed doors if there are limited or no avenues within parliament for investigations and hearings on issues to take place.
On the matter of lobbying I wonder if we could get all TD’s and Senators to publish the visitors records for groups, delegations and meetings that they receive in Leinster House and their constituency? Yes I know that pig is out there flying by my window again but maybe we could see some action on that as well as the reform of the Freedom of Information legislation. Chop to it!
Open FM » Today’s Links // Jun 14, 2011 at 08:36
[...] Seanad motion to increase interaction with public and organisations This week the Seanad will debate a motion in private members time proposed by members of the nominated senators group – the so called Endapendents. Given the reduction in the numbers of committees announced by the government last week the opportunities for experts, organisations and communities to present issues to parliamentarians will be noticeably less. [...] [...]
It would be interesting to have a person with disabilities make a presentation to the Sanad and the need for the introduction of A PESONAL ASSISTANCE ACT which recognises that every person with a disability whatever the nature, complexity and/or severity of their impairment has the ability to make choices, and where required, has access to the necessary capacity to enable them to make decisions.
The committee system had grown way beyond any meaningful use as Bertie adapted it to create jobs for the backbenchers and definetly needed to be trimmed
Committees are for debating the detailed points of legislation and the PAC and new Investigations, Oversight & petitions committees for holding Government to account.
On specific issues experts etc get called in but I would hazard to find any organised group or individual with specific expertise who found it difficult to get a meeting of any kind with a TD and eventually a Minister.
The proposals above would probably end up favouring those with close connections to politicians
There are at least 3-4 lobby groups in Buswells on a Wednesday most sitting weeks and by far the most proficient are NGOs in the human rights sector and charities. Automatic access to Oireachtas for ex-TDs and Senators is one of the reasons they get hired as lobbyists – that should be stopped.
however, a lot of TDs if passionate on an issue will often invite in organisations and speakers to give talks and advertise them to other TDs – all above board and doesn’t require changes to Standing orders etc.
There is no white knight solution to problems of getting good advice or experts to speak to politicians – it requires TDs and Senators who are passionate on issues they believe in to organise lectures, seminars and briefings on them.
Access whether private or public is not the problem in irish politics, but rather the power exerted by the Executive and the super strong whip system.
Fewer, stronger committees allow TDs to focus on a specific area, hone experience and skills, and potentially take on Ministers.
Further, legislation is completely biased towards the Depts & ministers as they have teams of civil servants and legal advice to write and test legislation, resources not available to either opposition or backbench government TDs.
all that I can say to this is… isn’t that what committees are for.