Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)

The Taoiseach has spoken on many occasions about public sector reform and improving the efficiency of the public service. As the Department of the Taoiseach is responsible for the Chief Whip, the Taoiseach has an overarching responsibility for the drafting of legislation. Will he send a search party to Marlborough Street to find the departmental legislative unit, if there is one, that has been sitting on amendments to the Student Support Bill for two years?

Will the Taoiseach attach to that search party someone who knows those drafting the legislation in respect of placing on a legal footing a school that has now been in operation for nearly three years? If the drafting of legislation was a leaving certificate examination subject the Department would not be allowed to sit the exam at this stage.

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