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Work to begin on establishing Oireachtas committees

The Government Chief Whip Mary Butler will bring forward proposals to outline the shape of the new committees
The Government Chief Whip Mary Butler will bring forward proposals to outline the shape of the new committees

Work to establish 28 Oireachtas committees will begin at Leinster House more than four months after the general election.

There has been sustained criticism of the delay in establishing committees given their essential role in both the formulation and passing of legislation.

Work to put them in place was stalled during the lingering row over Dáil speaking time.

The Government Chief Whip Mary Butler will now bring forward proposals to outline the shape of the new committees.

The selection of committee slots for Government and opposition groupings, under the D'Hondt system, will take place tomorrow at the Dáil Business Committee.

It is proposed that there will be a new special committee to focus on Artificial Intelligence (AI).

A "thematic" committee on Infrastructure and the National Development Plan will be established along with a select committee on Fisheries and Maritime Affairs.

The area of Disability will be overseen by a stand-alone committee and there will also be a committee on key issues affecting the Traveller Community.

The Standing Committees for Public Accounts, Budgetary Oversight, Public Petitions and the Ombudsman, Member's Interests, and the Irish Language will return.

While Health, Transport, Agriculture, Foreign Affairs, Education, Children and Equality, Social Protection, Finance, Higher Education, Justice, Climate, Housing, along with Defence and National Security will each be covered by an Oireachtas Committee.

Other members speaking time

Opposition parties remained in their seats in the Dáil chamber today when a Fianna Fáil TD asked a question during other members speaking time.

It is the controversial new speaking slot that stalled much of the Dáil's work in recent months.

Sinn Féin, Labour, the Social Democrats and Solidarity-PBP all stayed in the Dáil when Tipperary North TD Ryan O'Meara raised the need for more wastewater treatment plants in his constituency.

Last week, most Opposition TDs left the chamber when the first questions were asked during other members speaking time.

Responding to the TD's question, the Taoiseach said it cannot be business as usual when it comes to delivering homes in places like North Tipperary.

Any extra resources will have to be allocated to water treatment plants in towns and villages in order to build badly needed homes, Micheál Martin said.