Madam, – Your Editorial (January 19th) was somewhat simplistic. Independent experts produced a report that recommended a once-off correction in the resources available for the effective running of our national parliament which, since 2004, is the responsibility of a corporate body, the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission.
All of these improvements were benchmarked against international best practice.
These costs included the establishment of the commission, in addition to excellent library and research services that are a norm for any modern parliament.
We make no apology for an investment that has long-term intrinsic value.
Investments in information and communications technology have ensured that access to our elected representatives is a cornerstone of our democratic system. Surely public access is a worthwhile investment?
Our national parliament is increasingly proactive in engaging the public.
There are 85,000 visitors to Leinster House annually, and 15,000 post-primary students nationwide have completed the Oireachtas Schools Initiative. A modern parliament should inform, educate and engage – that is what we are doing.
You stated that “staff numbers in Leinster House had grown by 43 per cent over the past five years and expenditure by 65 per cent”. We operate on a three-year budget, and in the 2007-2009 period, staff increased by just three people, whilst overall expenditure increased by 8 per cent. – Yours, etc,