When 60 per cent of the public do not believe your work is important, you have a problem. And so it is with the Houses of the Oireachtas. In response to that finding, the new Ceann Comhairle of the Dáil, John O'Donoghue, has pledged to make the work of the Dáil and Seanad more accessible to the public through the internet and the media. But until the Government itself treats parliament with greater respect and permits it to play a more vibrant role in our democracy, little will change.
Under the Constitution, the balance of power has been heavily skewed in favour of the Executive. As a consequence, successive governments have treated the Dáil as little more than a necessary nuisance and their backbench TDs as lobby-fodder who ensure the passage of legislation. Because it is the only forum within which the taoiseach and his ministers can be held to account on a regular basis, the number of formal sitting days has been kept to an absolute minimum. In addition, many important policy announcements are made elsewhere.
More than most, the present Taoiseach has been reluctant to accept close scrutiny of administrative or ministerial decisions. Powers of media inquiry under the Freedom of Information Act were rolled back. And work by the Ethics in Public Office commission was inhibited. In the Dáil chamber, a three-day week still normally applies. And while TDs attend various committee meetings for much of the year, the Dáil meets in primary session for about seven months.
Before the election, Fine Gael and the Labour Party undertook to increase the number of Dáil sitting days by 50 per cent through shorter recesses and a longer working week. The Green Party promised to double them. Since then, the programme for government has pledged to review the situation. But administrative reform will have no impact unless it involves a transfer of political authority and an opportunity to hold individuals and agencies to account.
The successful Dirt inquiry of 1999 showed what can be achieved by a vigorous Oireachtas committee. But court challenges prevented further development. And the Government declined to legislate for the new situation. If the relevance of the Oireachtas and its committees is to be improved, it will require political determination and commitment. Ministers must be more readily available to answer Dáil questions. And there is a need for parliamentary oversight of stand-alone government agencies. Such activity will generate increased media attention. That, in turn, should facilitate greater awareness and appreciation of the role of the Oireachtas.