Tom Kitt (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)

This has been a useful debate and I have been as open as possible with regard to the various proposals that have been raised at our informal discussions. Because these discussions are informal I have been reticent about giving the Deputies a specific commitment on the issue of agencies. So far I have brought the issue of better communications from agencies to the attention of the Taoiseach and he has raised it with his Cabinet colleagues. That was the first step. I am convinced that we need to do something about this, not just because of the pleas and demands of Opposition Deputies but also because Deputies in my party have concerns about the agencies mentioned, including the HSE and the NRA, across a wide range of Ministries. We need better communications for elected Members in the Dáil regardless of which parties they represent. I will certainly bring the case to my colleagues in government. As I said, there are a number of key issues. As Deputies have acknowledged, we have made good progress. When the overall package is agreed I will bring it to Government. This would be a key element of such a package.

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