Damien English (Meath, Fine Gael)

I move amendment No. 87:

In page 27, line 20, after "require" to insert the following:

"in particular, such information as the Minister may require in order to furnish a full response to parliamentary questions".

This issue was addressed on Committee Stage and the Minister stated there is nothing to prevent the agency from providing information to the Minister. However, I seek the inclusion of a reference to replies to parliamentary questions. It is difficult to obtain information from Ministers and Members are often told to contact State bodies. I fail to see why the amendment cannot be accepted. If the Minister's intention is to reply to all parliamentary questions, as she stated on Committee Stage, there is no reason to refuse to take it on board. It might come in handy if she is ever on this side of the House.

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