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

I thank Mr. Molloy for that.

I thank Mr. McKeon and Mr. Molloy for their engagement here with the committee this morning. In particular, I thank Mr. McKeon for the support that he and his officials are providing to this committee on an ongoing basis. I also thank both of them for the Department's and the appeals office's constructive engagement with all Members of the Oireachtas on an ongoing basis. In fairness, all of us, right across both Houses, would say that if other Departments and Government agencies dealt with public representatives and with the issues that they raise in a similar manner to the Department of Social Protection we would have a far more effective public administration in this country. I merely want to put that formally on the record. While we must advocate on behalf of our constituents, we acknowledge and respect the fact that this Department is very much a proactive Department in terms of the engagement it has on a day-to-day basis with us and with our staff. I thank them for their time here this morning.