Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)

That is correct. Rather than being able to approach the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government in respect of matters relating to county roads, Members will now be obliged to submit their questions - in respect of which they will not receive replies - to the NRA. If one tables a question relating to road safety to the Minister for Transport, Deputy Dempsey, one receives a reply which indicates that he no longer has responsibility for the matter and that one should approach someone else in respect of it. One cannot ask the Minister for Health and Children questions about particular health matters without being informed that one's query has been forwarded to the HSE. The legislation under which the HSE was established specifically states that its CEO cannot question Government policy; it can only implement it. However, we are continually informed that the HSE rather than the Minister has responsibility for particular matters.

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