Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)

I agree fully with the Minister. I do not suggest that the Executive should impose a prescriptive way forward but the report of the Sub-Committee on Ireland's Future in the European Union from this time last year contains specific recommendations that can fundamentally transform our engagement with the European Union and in so doing facilitate meaningful engagement with the people of this country on the European Union. Will the Minister accede to the demand of that committee to introduce a mandate system that would require Ministers to come before committees? It would have far-reaching consequences for the Minister and his colleague in terms of their powers. Is he prepared to make that sacrifice to introduce a system that would replicate the system that is hugely successful in the House of Commons?

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