Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

I thank the Minister of State for his reply, which referred to meeting on an ongoing basis and ensuring a steady flow of legislation. Does the Minister of State not agree we have had anything but a steady flow of legislation before this House since the general election last May? In fact the contrary is the case. Can the Minister of State tell us, as he has suggested, that the committee meets on an ongoing basis to assist the Minister of State in prioritising legislation and addressing barriers to legislative progress? When did it last meet? How often has it met since the publication of the legislative programme for the current session? How many times did it meet between the resumption after the summer recess and the Christmas break? What exactly does "ongoing basis" translate as?

Can the Minister of State confirm that the committee recommends to Cabinet which legislation should receive priority? If that is the case, can the Minister of State clarify that when Deputies use the opportunity on the Order of Business to appeal, urge and highlight the need to have legislation speeded up because of specific need, greater demand or urgencies presenting that these calls by elected representatives are noted and addressed by the legislative committee? If not, why not?

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