Eugene Murphy (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It is important to say that we understand what Deputy Buckley says. Of course there is a social fallout. Of course people are hurt. We have Sláintecare and all of these things happening. I want it to be clear that I and my colleagues want what is best for the people. When I was a member of the previous Committee on Public Petitions, another committee was dealing with an issue and we were told we could not deal with it. I will try to find the minutes of that meeting. I clearly remember that I wanted to bring up an issue and was told that the health committee or the Committee of Public Accounts was dealing with a matter and the Committee on Public Petitions could not have the relevant people before it. Perhaps that has changed. If, as Deputy Higgins said, the health committee is going to visit one of those sites, and that was what I understood her to say, that committee is dealing with the issue. Would we be crossing another committee? I clearly remember the point arising when I was a member of a previous Committee on Public Petitions. If a particular committee of the Houses was dealing with an issue, no other committee could cross it. We were seen as the last resort. If another committee failed in what it was trying to do, the matter came to the petitions committee. I know I am correct in that because I remember it clearly.