Tom Kitt (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)

If, in my capacity as Government Chief Whip, I can help this House by giving it greater involvement in some of these issues and by allowing public representatives to debate them here or in committee, I will do so. I am not in such a position because, as the Deputy is aware, the reports are not binding but represent viewpoints which act as a background to negotiations. A committee of the Dáil can, obviously, express its views but that is as far as I can go. I acted reasonably by going some way toward addressing the concerns expressed by the Deputy. If he wishes to push it, that is fine.

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