Brendan Ryan (Labour)

This is an interesting idea and an indication of the degree of compromise we have all come to accept. Where does parliamentary accountability come into this matter? A ministerial council makes executive decisions which are implemented by implementation bodies, and I appreciate the distinction in terms of Tourism Ireland. However, ministerial authority without parliamentary accountability is never a good idea. Irish Ministers are accountable to this Parliament and British Ministers are accountable to Westminster. Since a British Minister is now part of the body which deals with Waterways Ireland it would be perfectly possible to ask questions in Westminster about the condition of the Shannon Estuary, for example.

I do not raise this point to be awkward or negative because I support these developments. Nevertheless, it is an interesting point. It shows what happens when one is prepared to compromise. We have made the correct decision. Nevertheless, we have opened the possibility of questions being asked in Westminster about matters which are, theoretically, within this sovereign jurisdiction.