Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The way the Taoiseach is behaving, by not answering questions. That is utterly without precedent. I asked 18 questions of the Minister for Justice and the Taoiseach last week. The Taoiseach has repeatedly said that if Deputies have questions, they should submit them and they will be answered. They are not being answered. One simple question that I asked was when the Taoiseach was informed that Mr. Justice Woulfe was to be appointed. No date was provided. All 18 questions were merged into one generic, rubbish answer from the Minister for Justice and the Taoiseach. I will seek to meet the Ceann Comhairle later today to discuss how we will go forward. I have been down this road before with Ministers and I will not stop until I get my questions answered. The people of Tipperary put me here to hold this Taoiseach and Minister for Justice to account, and it is my intention to do so. We will get there, slice by slice. The Taoiseach can trust me on that.

Before I ask my question on promised legislation, I want to express my condolences to Damien Carrick, Ciarán, Ríoghna, Sorcha and Eoin on the death of Trish. I have had some dealings with Damien. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h-anam.

I asked the Taoiseach to consult party leaders before making decisions on the changes that will be brought about post level 5, which he is to announce on Friday. He has not done so, which is his prerogative. It is wrong. It is too late now and it is wrong. I offer my commiserations on last Sunday, when my county beat the Taoiseach's county. It is slightly ridiculous that for the sake of ten or 15 extra people, full panels cannot be allowed at all-Ireland semi-finals and finals. I presume common sense will prevail on this.

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