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Dáil votes to give itself more work... after seven weeks' holidays

When the Dáil returns on September 14 it will begin work earlier and sit for longer hours under a reformed system.

THE DÁIL WILL meet more often and sit earlier in the day when it resumes after the summer recess, after TDs yesterday voted through the most significant package of Dáil reforms in decades.

The new rules mean that more TDs will be required to sit in the Dáil chamber for the duration of debates, while the formula of sittings will also be changed to allow for more daily topical debates.

The changes were proposed in a Dáil reform subcommittee and were approved by the rest of the House yesterday.

The new regime will mean a more stretched-out working week, with sittings adjourning earlier at night but continuing into Friday mornings, initially on a once-a-month basis.

Daily sittings will begin on a more streamlined basis, while Thursday’s sittings will also include a new session of Leaders’ Questions to be taken by the Tánaiste. The Taoiseach is traditionally absent for Thursday sittings of the Dáil anyway, away either on European or domestic political business.

TDs will also now be able to lodge formal complaints if a minister hasn’t answered a query put to them through a parliamentary question.

Friday sittings will be devoted entirely to allowing opposition parties and backbenchers introduce proposals for new laws without the need for governmental assent.

The minimum number of TDs who must be present in order for business to proceed has been increased, from 10 to 20, in an effort to counter public perception that the Dáil chamber is too empty for most of the day.

The debate in a motion on the the Cloyne Report were attended by only around a dozen TDs.

Government chief whip Paul Kehoe, who proposed the changes, said TDs would return to “a Dáil where TDs can play a more active and meaningful role in the legislative process, and where the members of the House will have more opportunity to raise issues with Ministers in a more effective manner.”

The changes will kick in on September 14 when the Dáil reconvenes after its seven-week summer recess.

Are you impressed with the changes to how the Dáil runs?


Poll Results:

Yes (122)
No (79)
I'm not sure (38)

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4 Comments
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    Mute Richard Mc Dermott
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    Jul 29th 2013, 12:22 PM

    Ah i crashed in tallaght when a horse came bolting from a garden and landed on the bonet of my van with my pregnant girlfriend in the van also van was scrap after it two cameras were looking at the scene i was told they were not working “recession”and was told to take a civil suit against a very well know traveler family to get compensation as you can imagine i was left footing the bill myself so heres hoping these cameras are working poor girl rip and my toughts go out to her family

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    Mute Fagan Fagan
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    Jul 29th 2013, 12:37 PM

    @ Richard
    I’m surprised they didn’t sue you for damages to the horse

    319
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    Mute big shmoke
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    Jul 29th 2013, 12:41 PM

    Dublin bus CCTV cameras are always working & should be invaluable in establishing the chain of events which led to this tragedy.

    148
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    Mute Gillian DeFaoite
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    Jul 29th 2013, 1:00 PM

    ( Genuine question) Do the cameras look out on to the road too?

    80
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    Mute Richard Mc Dermott
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    Jul 29th 2013, 1:20 PM

    I was worried about that aswell but when you drag your horse into a horse box and leave the scene like a hot snot not evening asking about the two injured partys think there claim went out the window but point is i and my girlfriend are ok this poor girl had passed away my heart goes out to her family

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    Mute Sandra Turner
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    Jul 29th 2013, 3:43 PM

    dash cam time

    15
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    Mute Dave Storey
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    Jul 29th 2013, 4:27 PM

    Yes the cameras look out onto to road from several directions

    28
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    Mute Les Hughes
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    Jul 29th 2013, 10:57 PM

    yes and camera in cabcovers door

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    Mute Thomas Cullen
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    Jul 29th 2013, 11:35 PM

    Yes there is a camera where the route numbers are back and front. In all there are 10 cameras on your bus working 24/7

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    Mute Fagan Fagan
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    Jul 29th 2013, 12:12 PM

    With all the CCTV it shouldn’t be too difficult

    82
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    Mute Sacha Mahady
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    Jul 29th 2013, 12:28 PM

    I would not rely on cameras being of any use. Very unfortunate accident. My thoughts are with the families involved. With that rain yesterday conditions got pretty bad at times for driving.

    44
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    Mute Richard Mc Dermott
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    Jul 29th 2013, 12:35 PM

    Youd feel sorry for bus driver must feel real guilt even if it was not his fault road deaths an injurys affect people long after the news stops talking about it

    108
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    Mute Dermot Lane
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    Jul 29th 2013, 12:45 PM

    The rain is all the more reason to drive extra carefully, if conditions ate too bad, pull over and wait. The showers pass quickly.

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    Mute Sylvia Rafter
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    Jul 29th 2013, 9:36 PM

    This is my friends daughter so anyone with negative comments pls keep them to yourself and your small minds . A simple r.I.p will suffice instead of dissecting the situation

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    Mute Maggie Elizabeth Walsh
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    Jul 29th 2013, 2:58 PM

    RIP that young girl, I hope the young man pulls through. Thoughts with both families and also with the driver and passengers of the bus.

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    Mute Sorca O Brien
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    Jul 29th 2013, 8:03 PM

    I live in that area . There has been multiple crashes at that point and deaths as evidenced by the crosses erected at the road side . Conditions were bad yesterday with downpours and if your speed is a little high the bend is fairly sharp to take . Regardless of who was at fault a young girl has died and another young man very unwell . Think of their families .

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    Mute Marie Louise Ni Riain
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    Jul 29th 2013, 2:43 PM

    Poor family of that girl that died a awful tragedy :-( drive carefully to many deaths

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    Mute Laura O'Reilly
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    Jul 29th 2013, 3:16 PM

    This isn’t the first tragedy on that this stretch of road. The road hasn’t been modified since the 60′s I hope the council start considering to look at it.
    A terrible tragedy

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    Mute On Raglan Road
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    Jul 29th 2013, 3:59 PM

    That section of the Greenhills Road does not need any modification. More than likely this crash was due to excessive or inappropriate speed by one of the drivers.

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    Mute Deirdre Meredith
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    Jul 29th 2013, 4:36 PM

    Were you there think of both these of these families before you have decided to make such a stupid comment

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    Mute Deirdre Meredith
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    Jul 29th 2013, 5:08 PM

    That comment was meant for Quinn

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    Mute Laura Purcell
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    Jul 29th 2013, 5:22 PM

    Bronagh, with all due respect, please have respect for the families of that girl and the biy left behind, and dont leap to conclusions. it will already be a painful enough time for them :/

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    Mute Deirdre Meredith
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    Jul 29th 2013, 5:32 PM

    An hour after the crash so don’t just assume police want to question two other drivers who overtook the bus around the time of the accident so I think before any blame is put on anybody wait till all the facts come out first

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    Mute mark420
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    Jul 29th 2013, 2:39 PM

    Seen that crash last night there is no CCTV on that part of road it was outside lidl not at the roundabout were ther is loads of CCTV hope that catch who there looking for

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    Mute Always Be Closing
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    Jul 29th 2013, 7:36 PM

    There by the grace of God.

    May God give strength to the families involved.

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    Mute Matt Connolly
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    Jul 29th 2013, 9:51 PM

    welcome back, changed your name?

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