Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)

I have a brief supplementary question. I am broadly satisfied with the Minister's response. I remind the House that the Minister's colleague, Deputy Howlin, speaking at the joint consortium annual event in November 2010, said that Ireland's national action plan should include a strong monitoring plan that is implemented effectively and ambitiously. He said it should be particularly one that includes oversight by the Oireachtas and allows for "Opposition Members to hold the Government to account on this matter". He also highlighted that "an adequate budget and sufficient resources were needed to take on its massive political task". This is the commitment made by a now senior Minister and member of the Tánaiste's party. He maintained it was the remit of the Opposition to hold the Government to account. I am sure many respected non-governmental organisations monitor these situations to try to ensure that countries across the world honour their international commitments.

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