Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)

The entire Opposition may as well go away because we are irrelevant in this House if business continues to be conducted in the manner to which I referred. There is no point in criticising those outside the House who claim the Oireachtas does not function effectively. I am asking the Ceann Comhairle, as the Chairman and president of this House, what in God's name is happening? There are people outside the House asking why money is being put down the drain through the various subsidiaries of the various Departments. Ministers are responsible to this House for that expenditure. Such issues are part of the budgetary process.

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