Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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Just as a rider to that, I think it is necessary for us nonetheless to respond to Mellissa English's letter just as a matter of courtesy to her because I sense there might have been a bit of crossing of wires. It is important that, as a committee, we set out acceptance of the independence and quality of the advice but also explain our perspective on it, given the fact this is new terrain, and also assert the right, notwithstanding the quality of the staff and the advice offered, that it should be taken in the spirit in which it is intended, when a committee asks for outside advice. It should not prompt a response that is based on any kind of defensiveness because that is absolutely unnecessary. I think, as a matter of courtesy to the woman, we should respond in that spirit.