Marie Louise O'Donnell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Senators did not leave the committee room to vote in the Seanad because we cancel each other out. I would have been voting against the Government and Sinn Féin would have been voting with it. When I mentioned a separate Department, I meant it in a more ethereal sense and that the Heritage Council would have more money and decision-making power. I understand there can only be 15 Departments. I understand the link the Heritage Council has with the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht but it is very important it has power, more money and more officers and is not vying all the time in some kind of an order. If we can do anything to help the Heritage Council in commencing legislation or with its officers, we certainly will. I wanted to make that clear.