A very unlikely post title I know in the days of fast rising unemployment. That’s all I could think of though when I saw the comments from some Oireachtas colleagues on the need to reduce the number of committees. Apparently there is rising dissent over this.
As chairpeople and whips have now either lost or had reduced their allowances some are claiming that nothing more needs to be done. It all stuns me.
It’s as clear as day that we have too many of them and their rationalisation will lead to the remaining committees becoming more meaningful. Furthermore, the single biggest thing that would make a difference, is for all committee chair people to get training on how to run their committee meetings and work effectively. The safest place for a witness is in front of an Oireachtas committee. That’s the most urgent thing that needs changing.