Richard Boyd Barrett demands timeline for Defence Bill and committees
Richard Boyd Barrett criticised the government for delaying committee business and accused it of trying to overstep parliamentary convention to weaken the opposition. He demanded a timeline and assurances on the Defence Amendment No. 2 Bill, saying it would remove the 'triple lock' and 'launch an attack on our neutrality', and asked whether pre-legislative scrutiny would take place and whether a guillotine would be imposed.
He accused the Government of stalling the business of the Dáil and said it was "trying to overstep the mark of all previous convention", arguing that the changes were intended to muddy the lines between government and opposition and to "neuter" or "quieten" the opposition.
He pressed for specifics on the Defence Amendment No. 2 Bill, asking when it would be brought forward, whether there would be pre-legislative scrutiny, whether the Government intended to "ram it through", and seeking a commitment that no guillotine would be imposed.
The Chief Whip and the minister said the Dáil Reform Committee would meet that evening. They confirmed the Department of Defence has prioritised the Defence Amendment No. 2 Bill for publication, that drafting of the general scheme is ongoing, and that the bill will amend the Defence Acts to reform provisions on the dispatch of Defence Forces members for services outside the state. They said pre-legislative scrutiny would be expected to take place in committee once committees are up and running.
The minister also referenced the Mental Health Bill, stating substantial work has been done over the last six months and expressing hope that committee stage could be taken on the floor of the Dáil in a couple of weeks' time.
Committee delays and convention
He accused the Government of stalling the business of the Dáil and said it was "trying to overstep the mark of all previous convention", arguing that the changes were intended to muddy the lines between government and opposition and to "neuter" or "quieten" the opposition.
Defence Amendment No. 2 Bill
He pressed for specifics on the Defence Amendment No. 2 Bill, asking when it would be brought forward, whether there would be pre-legislative scrutiny, whether the Government intended to "ram it through", and seeking a commitment that no guillotine would be imposed.
Government response on timing and scrutiny
The Chief Whip and the minister said the Dáil Reform Committee would meet that evening. They confirmed the Department of Defence has prioritised the Defence Amendment No. 2 Bill for publication, that drafting of the general scheme is ongoing, and that the bill will amend the Defence Acts to reform provisions on the dispatch of Defence Forces members for services outside the state. They said pre-legislative scrutiny would be expected to take place in committee once committees are up and running.
Other legislation mentioned
The minister also referenced the Mental Health Bill, stating substantial work has been done over the last six months and expressing hope that committee stage could be taken on the floor of the Dáil in a couple of weeks' time.
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Transcript
There certainly is a delay with the committees and the business of the House being stalled because of that. That is solely the responsibility of the government for trying to overstep the mark of all previous convention and trying to muddy the waters between the government and the opposition for their own advantage and in order to neuter the opposition, where it's not good enough for them to have a majority, to control the Dáil schedule, to have a majority in all committees, they also want to populate the opposition benches and silence the voice, or quieten the voice, of the opposition. But I want to ask about one specific piece of legislation. The Defence Amendment No. 2 Bill, where you're planning to get rid of the triple lock and launch an attack on our neutrality, when is it going to be brought up? Are you planning pre-legislative scrutiny on that bill? Are you planning to ram it through? Can we have a timeline? Can we have dates? And can we get a commitment that there will not be attempts to impose a guillotine? Thank you very much for that. So just a couple of points. The Government and I as Chief Whip believe the best way to address changes to standing order is within the Dáil Reform Committee and this process should be respected and that meeting will happen this evening. It is imperative that the Dáil can function and the Oireachtas Commissions can be established as soon as possible. And I'm sure we'll have a robust session later on this evening. Deputy, in relation to your question, the Department of Defence have prioritised one bill for publication and one bill for drafting. The Defence Amendment No. 2 Bill is priority for publication and drafting of the general scheme is ongoing. This bill will amend the Defence Acts to reform the existing provision concerning the dispatch of members of the Defence Forces for services outside the state. So just to reiterate, it's a priority for publication and drafting of the general scheme is ongoing at the moment. Pre-legislative scrutiny, you would assume, will take place in committee when we get the committees up and running. In relation to the Mental Health Bill, I'm very anxious to bring it. A lot of work has been done over the last six months. And I'm hoping, actually, with the help of the House, that we could actually take committee stage on the floor of the Dáil in a couple of weeks' time. Thank you, Minister. Time is off. And we now. Thank you. Thank you.