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

With respect to ministerial accountability, it is absolutely important that Members have the opportunity to table parliamentary questions. I concur with the last speaker that the quicker the Government is established, the better. In the interim period, we have a caretaker Cabinet with Ministers who preside over their respective portfolios and Government Departments. As health spokesperson prior to the dissolution of the last Dáil, there are key questions that I would like to pose on matters. I want to know how these matters have progressed over the intervening period. The same Minister holds that responsibility. Deputy Naughten has referenced written parliamentary questions and, whether that was intentional or not, I want to be able to pose questions on the continuing stewardship of those Ministers if we find ourselves in any protracted hiatus period. It should be accommodated in terms of the amendment to No. 5cregarding the extended sitting of the Dáil on the Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. The facility should be there for Ministers to come in and answer questions properly tabled by Members of the House, not on the cut and thrust of policy, but to find out exactly what the position is on certain very important matters. It is information which I have no other means of extracting. As a democratically re-elected Member of this House, I want to be able to continue to perform that role of holding to account whoever is at the helm of the Department of Health. Others will wish to do the same with regard to other Government Departments. That should be specified very clearly in the provision of the additional time for the week following next week. If it is in order, I formally propose that amendment be incorporated into the construct of the three sitting days which I hope we will all now agree to facilitate on the week leading into Easter week.

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