Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)

I can stand over my promises. Although I would like much more to be achieved, my promises are more realistic than those of others, who knew on the day they made them that they could not be honoured. It is wrong that we should spend money ad libitum on circulating propaganda that has no real meaning. We should not be in the business of buying votes.

Let me return to a matter raised by other Deputies, namely, the issue of what we stand for. Today, unfortunately, I am not able to stand but that is another story and a health matter. The Health Service Executive and its various areas have been established. I often ask parliamentary questions on Monaghan General Hospital and other health-related issues but all I receive by way of reply are statements that the Minister is not responsible. However, I can say without apology that if a hospital is to be opened or some good news story is to be announced, the relevant Minister and all his or her colleagues will claim full responsibility. This applies to all Ministers of all Governments. We must restore the relevance of this House. Ministers accept the glory in glory days and give the appropriate answers in the House but abdicate responsibility when different circumstances obtain. We must address this through Dáil reform.

Consider an example that arose today concerning the standing of the Dáil. The Minister announced the clearance for the M3 but did not do so in the House. He should have made the announcement in the House and not at some other function. I am delighted for my constituents in Cavan-Monaghan that this motorway has got the go-ahead and I hope nobody outside this country or outside counties Meath, Monaghan or Cavan raises some spurious issue to prevent its going ahead.

If Members table a parliamentary question for the National Roads Authority regarding a road, they are told it is not the responsibility of the Minister but that of the authority. However, if the Minister opens a new road or launches a development, it is regarded as his responsibility. Therefore, there is a need for reform in the House. I hope the Minister of State will consider this and that the Whips will get together to introduce meaningful reform so Members can have meaningful debates in the House, at whatever time they decide upon, on relevant issues, be they related to local authorities, the HSE, the National Roads Authority or otherwise.

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