Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

With regard to the code of conduct, and without sight of the most up-to-date text of same, is there a clear indication to Ministers and Ministers of State of their duties and responsibilities to other Members of these Houses? I speak specifically regarding their responsibility to respond to either parliamentary questions or written representations. I am reflecting particularly on a delay of a long period of months in receiving replies from some Ministries and front-line Ministers. The code of conduct must go beyond the required high standards in terms of public office vis-À-vis the matters referred to by the previous speaker. Surely, it must also require of office an awareness and an adherence to the best standards in terms of their accountability and responsibility to the Houses of the Oireachtas. Will the Taoiseach indicate if this area is addressed within the code of conduct and, if not, what steps he would consider employing to guarantee to Members that we will be accorded the expected courtesy and, I believe, essential response from Ministers in regard to the representations and inquiries we make?

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