Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Deputy Flaherty said what I wanted to say. This is a big industry through which an amount of jobs and money can come into the economy. We need a strongly worded letter or whatever people want. It must be made quite clear that when the next invitation goes out to those Ministers, there should be no reference to particular dates on which they are available. We have been trying to arrange dates since January. I do not care how busy a Minister or anybody else is because if they are serious about this industry, they will make a date available as soon as possible. Representatives of the three Departments should come before the committee in order that we can put questions to them. This is an important industry for the country and the economy. We have been messed around. We have listened to stakeholders again today and for them to be messed around by three Departments should be unacceptable to this committee. It should be unacceptable to any right-minded person. I support Deputies Flaherty and Carthy. We need to write a letter to the Departments and insist they come before this committee, preferably before Christmas but as soon as possible.