Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank Ms Mannion. We will now take questions from committee members. One thing that many Members of the Oireachtas find frustrating is the fact that when agencies such as Pobal, right across the board, are established at arm’s length from the various Ministers, accountability to the Oireachtas is only through the parliamentary committee. The work programme of the parliamentary committee, dealing as our committee does with a broad spectrum of issues, does not lead to a situation where agencies are before the committee on a regular basis. If some mechanism could be found so there is a clear avenue and route for Members of the Oireachtas to raise specific issues with Pobal and get responses, that would be very useful. I and many other Members of the Oireachtas have done so in the past and have received detailed replies from Pobal regarding various issues, but having a formalised structure would be of benefit in providing a level of accountability. If Pobal could take that on board, I would very much appreciate it.

I call Deputy Paul Donnelly.