Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

We do not ask the questions of civil servants. We have tolerated a situation where, because of the industrial action, replies have not been forthcoming. The fact that civil servants are taking industrial action does not absolve Ministers of their responsibility to the House. To be fair, there has been a mixed experience regarding the replies Members are getting in response to parliamentary questions. That aspect must be revisited.

One parliamentary question I recently tabled to the Taoiseach related to meetings he had with groups of survivors of abuse in various institutions and discussions he had with the religious orders concerned. I want to ask the Taoiseach about the meetings he had with both interests in that regard.

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