Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I will restore order. I acknowledge the Minister of State's recognition of the important contributions made by Opposition Deputies on a variety of issues, including the cochlear implant issue. We look forward to the provision of funding for its introduction in the 2014 programme, as that is hugely important. This is about consultation. I could cite many other instances in which we hope to excite interest in what more we might have to say. Consultation could be very useful. If Deputy Billy Kelleher or I have an opportunity to serve as Minister or Minister of State in the future, I hope we will appreciate the experience and listen to the views of other elected representatives. We are all elected and have the same mandate when we come here to give service. We are dealing with issues with the Government after the fact, which is not the best way to do business. I appreciate and understand how the system works, or does not work as the case might be. These amendments are about consultation. The role of the Dáil committee system needs to be upgraded as part of the reform of the Houses of the Oireachtas. I do not believe the single opportunity we have every quarter is enough because; therefore, much has to be addressed. The Minister of State and her colleagues in the Department have set their minds against what we are proposing, which I regret very much. I suspect that members of all parties and none who serve on the Joint Committee on Health and Children would welcome the acceptance of these common-sense amendments. They would provide for a greater purpose for the committee and, as a consequence, increase the potential to achieve better results. It is regrettable that they are not being accepted.

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