Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)

I wish to raise two issues. The first arises from the point made by Deputy Richard Bruton in respect of replies to parliamentary questions. As the Members' custodian in the House, the Ceann Comhairle will be greatly concerned about this issue. There is a growing tendency in Departments to provide Members with replies to the effect that the relevant Minister has no responsibility to the House. Like the Taoiseach, me, and a number of others, the Ceann Comhairle has been a Member for a number of years. A Minister is responsible to the House for every penny that is spent by his or her Department. This should be borne in mind because any attempt to close down the avenue of replies to questions of the Opposition is a serious matter.

Second, given the recently expressed concerns about a possible intervention in the formation of a panel for an RTE discussion, is it intended to bring forward the broadcasting Bill to address the issues? If not, have discussions taken place with the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland in the interim?

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