Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)

I take responsibility for the agencies under my Department's aegis. I will not accept the amendments because they will not serve a useful purpose. In the light of what Deputies said, however, I will take seriously their comments about obtaining the information they need to do their job. I will take up this matter with the agencies concerned under my Department's aegis to ensure queries from Members of the House will be responded to quickly and efficiently. These Civil Service agencies provide a public service. As public representatives, Members of the House who pose questions are entitled to timely responses. I will try to put that system in place.

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