Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)

Will the Taoiseach tell me the status of the draft Bill on offshore renewable energy development, which was produced months ago by an all-party committee comprising Members of the Seanad and Dáil? It seems to have been lost although we sent it to the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Eamon Ryan. Having looked at the list, I note he is not over-burdened with proposed legislation.

Is the Taoiseach really serious about encouraging committees to do sound, sensible work and to work in co-operation with the Government where possible on issues such as this, which are of tremendous importance in terms of future investment in this country? We should take all-party committees, which are not acting in a party political manner but are trying to do something positive and constructive, seriously. The least we can do is show some sort of respect. The minimum would be for a Minister to write back and tell us he or she is not interested in the committee, but leaving us hanging makes a joke of the committee system. I ask the Taoiseach to take this matter very seriously.

The Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Eamon Ryan, is not over-burdened with legislation at present. Unfortunately, he is not here to listen to me.

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