THE GOVERNMENT has rejected a Labour Party Bill which seeks to restore inquiries by parliamentary committees.

Minister of State for Finance Martin Mansergh said it was “entirely appropriate that proposals for improving the role of the Oireachtas should be put forward by one of the main parties”, but he added that the legislation had shortcomings.

The Committees of the Houses of the Oireachtas (Powers of Inquiry) Bill was introduced by Labour justice spokesman Pat Rabbitte, who said that the “parliamentary power of inquiry is necessary and intrinsic to the proper functioning of a representative, responsible parliamentary democracy”.

The Labour Party believed that “our State is the poorer and has functioned more poorly in the absence of a system where those who exercise authority in our State can be called to account for their performance in office”.

The Dublin South-West TD said the Bill “will enhance the relevance of Dáil Éireann. It will help distinguish parliament from government and demonstrate the capacity of parliament” to hold government to account.

He stressed that it was “very damaging to confidence in politics that the perception is abroad that deputies who are not office holders are without influence and are used merely as lobby fodder to rubber-stamp measures brought forward by government”.

Mr Rabbitte said: “Members of the House cannot and should not substitute for the normal process of the rule of law.

“We are not prosecutors. But we are legislators. Our job is to frame the laws by which this State is governed.”

The debate continues tonight.