Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

The Opposition has a right to require accountability from a Minister for his or her actions and decisions. If the Taoiseach was sitting on the opposite side of the House, he would insist on that. It seems that he is going to be a part of the charade being followed by the Minister for Justice in terms of making out that it is in any way acceptable that she comes in here under the normal parliamentary questions rota. The Taoiseach knows in his heart that is wrong and he would not accept that if he was on the Opposition benches. A basic tenet of our parliamentary democracy is that there is accountability by Government to the House. The Taoiseach is denying us that accountability by protecting the Minister, Deputy McEntee. It is wrong and he is setting a very dangerous precedent.

See this speech in context