John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I find it unacceptable that committees are being put into a predicament. For example, this letter from Mr. Watt requires me to confirm with the other chairs of the other committees. I have the greatest respect for the committees of this House and the Committee of Public Accounts, of which I was previously Chairman, and they have a role to play. This committee is the one that the Minister's Department and Mr. Watt are obliged to come before. He has a responsibility and I feel he is playing games with us. He did not respond to the particular dates that we asked about. He responded in a way that puts the onus on others to make the decision. Quite frankly, it is not for others to make the decision. The remit is ours. I have no objection if Mr. Watt wants to go before other committees but we have reached an impasse this morning. We need clarification on this. Would it help to suspend for half an hour to discuss this with the Minister and see can some process be put in place whereby we will get that clarification and take all of the ambiguity out of it as to who will agree to what? It is not my job-----