Dan Boyle (Cork South Central, Green Party)

When I, on behalf of my party, made a formal request to the Government Chief Whip on Monday for such a debate to take place, it was on the basis that direct questions could be asked and direct answers given. I expressed reservations that Leaders' Questions and the Order of Business were not suitable mechanisms for such questions and answers to take place. Yesterday's performance showed that to be true, as did today's Order of Business when the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform refused to answer questions on this matter. What is being offered to us now is not even half a horse. This matter demands a longer debate and an opportunity for all in this House to ask the Taoiseach direct questions and for the Taoiseach, for once since this controversy has arisen, to give direct answers.

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