Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

The Minister of State said that 96% of parliamentary questions received by the HSE in the first part of this year have been responded to. However, the 12 plus questions I have posed, covering a number of areas, including vetting arrangements in regard to those with responsibility for care of children in the State's control, remain part of the outstanding 4%. These are important questions dealing with matters of real concern. I ask that the Minister of State, in following up on that, reflect the importance of questions such as this, which need to be expedited.

My final point relates to the question regarding by-elections. Regardless of what response the Supreme Court gives to the Government's appeal, the reality is that it will and should have no bearing whatsoever on a political decision across this House to hold by-elections within a specific timeframe, as has been commended repeatedly and over many years by all party committees. There is no justification for a delay pending the outcome of that appeal.

Also, the Minister of State did not respond to the issue which I believe is a critical element of reform, namely, the inordinate level of remuneration enjoyed at some levels of public service in this House as against the serious impact of the reduction in the minimum wage on the lowest paid in our society.

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