Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I know I am repeating myself and I am not trying to be unhelpful. I have absolutely clear advice from the Department of Health that there is a legal requirement for us to go through this process. Were I to do as the Senator suggests, I would be acting in a way I am advised is illegal. The committee at that point would, quite rightly, be asking me very different questions. As I said, I would like nothing more than to be able to appoint the chair. I know the Senator appreciates that if any of us gets official advice on legal requirements, even if we are frustrated, most, if not all, members of the committee would accept the legal requirement. It is incumbent on me as Minister to follow that legal requirement, frustrating as it may be.