Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)

My amendment is similar to that of Deputy Mitchell. It proposes that the Minister remain accountable to the Houses of the Oireachtas, rather than hide behind various bodies and evade questions. Time and again questions about such bodies which are asked of the Minister are ruled out of order. The Minister is allowed to hide behind the words "I have no official responsibility". I do not want to drag out the debate on amendment No. 6 because it is self-explanatory. I hope the Minister will take my proposal on board.

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