Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)

I understand the point the Minister has made about his amendment No. 14, which provides for consultation with the joint Oireachtas committee. Amendment No. 15, in the name of Deputy O'Dowd, refers to the Minister. There is a presumption that Ministers are accountable to the Oireachtas. The Minister, Deputy Dempsey, is splitting hairs. Implicit in his remarks is the suggestion that sending a report to an Oireachtas committee is the same as sending it to the Oireachtas, but it is not the same. The work of committees is part of the parliamentary process. The most important aspect of that process is the degree to which Ministers are accountable to the House during Question Time.

See this speech in context