Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Minister of State for his response and acknowledge that the plenary session here on committees and the committee structure was useful but I must point out that we have not had the level of engagement on this issue at Whips level as we have had on Dáil reform. Would the Chief Whip consider convening a special meeting of the Whips to discuss that in advance of any final decision?

I emphasise to the Minister of State the importance of setting up the Houses of the Oireachtas commission as a matter of urgency. I presume the commission falls within the ambit of committees in general. I support the issue raised by Deputy Ó Snodaigh in terms of the critical importance of the Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement and the fact that it should not be sacrificed, given its critical importance at this juncture.

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