Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)

I move amendment No. 6:

In page 26, between lines 14 and 15, to insert the following new subsection:

"(4) The Minister shall supply to one or both Houses of the Oireachtas such information regarding the performance of the Commission's functions as may from time to time be required by a member of either House.".

I spoke on Second Stage about the issue of the commission being accountable to the Dáil. With the Health Service Executive and the National Roads Authority the line Minister can pass the buck. The proposed railway safety commission is another instance where the buck can be passed and where the Minister does not appear to have any real accountability. If there is to be accountability, the commission must be accountable, whether by way of parliamentary questions to the Dáil or through an Adjournment debate in the Seanad. Time and again Adjournment debates we have requested concerning the NRA or the HSE have been ruled out. I suggest this amendment in the hope that the Minister of State will accept or amend it. There should be some form of accountability to the Houses of the Oireachtas.