Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

There have been two from Deputy Shortall. The Minister, Deputy McEntee, has made it clear that she is willing to answer questions in this House. She said that last Thursday evening. The Opposition opposed that and any facilitation of that, which was due to happen next Tuesday, because of the format of how the questions would be asked. I believe withdrawing from the Business Committee based on the format of how questions are asked is wholly disproportionate. That is a reform that I championed. I believe in the Business Committee and I support its continuation. I want to make that clear. I spoke to the Ceann Comhairle this morning. The Ceann Comhairle has legal advice about the parameters and the nature of what can be asked. He is clear that questions must be on process and not commentary on the suitability of candidates or criteria, which some Deputies asked me about earlier. The Minister, Deputy McEntee, and I discussed this issue. The Minister was taken aback last week when she made an offer to come into the House and answer questions-----

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