The Seanad also has a role to play. This was touched on by Senator Ormonde and other speakers when they referred to the scrutiny initiative. All Senators welcome the Government's decision last year to create a system of scrutiny which had been largely absent in parliamentary practice. It was one of the great criticisms being constantly levelled at the Oireachtas that EU directives were being dealt with at Council level, getting as far as heads of Departments and being sent back to Brussels having been given the nod in Parliament. Under a system co-ordinated by the Department of Foreign Affairs, it is now the case that each joint committee is advised of the various directives by the relevant Government Department. The Department gives advice on what debate or action is required.