Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I will not labour this point and I do not wish to personalise the matter but this is not a matter of the Oireachtas encroaching on the functions of the Office of the President. It is a public office, the holder of the position is elected by the people of Ireland and long may this continue to be the case. I feel when people elect a person to an office they are entitled to know what goes on there and I suspect the current President, along with former and future Presidents, would not object to this amendment. I will not press the amendment because I do not wish to be seen as interfering but I feel the Office of the President would be open to this and would welcome it.

The Minister mentioned that North-South bodies are covered by an administrative arrangement.

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