Sir, – While my colleague Michael McNamara TD makes important points about the need to strengthen the power of the Dáil, he gives the impression, without using the word, that backbenchers, especially on the Government side, are puppets controlled by the Cabinet ("Powerless Dáil makes for bad law and flawed politics", Opinion & Analysis, December 28th). This is not the case.
Government TDs continually lobby for changes and amendments to Bills, along with the Opposition, and regularly with success.
On the Government side, this tends to be done in private but it can and does lead to changes in legislation.
From time to time, there are situations where the actions of a backbencher lead to a change in direction by the Cabinet. A recent example of the latter was the success of Labour TD Willie Penrose in getting a Bankruptcy Bill, limiting bankruptcy to one year, accepted by both the Cabinet and the Dáil, even though he initially faced strong opposition from both the Department of Finance and the Minister for Finance.
A useful lesson for all backbenchers from Willie’s achievement is that it was possible because he first got the unanimous backing of the Labour parliamentary party, followed by a very significant level of support from Fine Gael backbench TDs.
It should also be pointed out that some, admittedly limited, level of parliamentary reform has taken place. Examples are time for private member’s Bills on Fridays, pre-legislative scrutiny of Bills and a reluctance to guillotine Bills, unlike the practice of Fianna Fáil in the past.
These changes are limited, however, and there is need for the next Dáil to bring in major reforms.
Backbenchers of all hues should be able to bring Bills from inception to conclusion through the Dáil. The Civil Service, along with the Cabinet, should be willing to co-operate in this.
There should be a more flexible whip for Government TDs on non-economic issues, along with a similar approach from the Opposition.
The Ceann Comhairle should be elected by secret ballot.
While this is not a comprehensive list, such changes would lead to a more powerful and independent Dáil chamber and allow for a powerful Cabinet capable of driving the country forward. – Yours, etc,
ROBERT DOWDS TD,
Labour (Dublin Mid-West)
Leinster House,
Dublin 2.