Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

There is no promised legislation in this area. It is possible for the committee system to bring any people charged with public bodies to come to the House and be cross-examined on a range of issues. That is ongoing. Where there are issues of policy, obviously a Minister is responsible. In operational matters, agencies are established by this House and given that statutory responsibility. It is of course incumbent on all such bodies to provide effective response to representations from Deputies and to assist them in every way so that they and we can discharge our democratic duties. That issue has been commented upon by Members of this House and I would like to see it rectified to their satisfaction. Ultimately, the situation is that we have a committee system through which people are brought forward and cross-examined on various operational matters and this is being done effectively by Deputies. However, to bring people into the Chamber on the Order of Business concerning promised legislation is not the way forward.

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