Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)

We have spent 20 minutes discussing a technical amendment. In response to Deputy Jim O'Keeffe's proposal for a security committee for the Houses, under Article 15 of the Constitution it is a matter for each House of the Oireachtas to establish committees for itself. I cannot by legislation force or provide for any House to establish a committee which it is not otherwise obliged to have.

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