Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy's first set of questions, which relate to the processes of the House, are more appropriate to the Committee on Procedure and Privileges or Oireachtas Commission, probably the former. While I will be mindful of any recommendation emanating from the House, as a member of the Government I should not dictate the manner in which people are held to account in the Houses. We have had solid evidence in recent weeks that the new committee system is working effectively and there is growing confidence that State companies can be brought before the line committee, whether in the area of the environment, health or anything else, to be asked probing questions. This should be the norm in terms of parliamentary activity and I suspect that will be the case.

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