Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)

I thank the Minister of State for his outline of the case. However, annual reports are issued at the rate of a dime a dozen, all glossy magazines that, no doubt, are well put together but read by nobody. Oireachtas Members are accountable to the public and need to get information, but the only real way they can get it is either through a parliamentary question or an Adjournment debate. However, their questions or debates are ruled out, as we have seen with regard to the NRA and the HSE, on the basis that the Minister does not have direct involvement in the running of such bodies. This commission will be the third such body. This, therefore, is a golden opportunity to amend the Bill in a way that will provide that Members can make such commissions accountable through the relevant Minister.

My amendment may need some adjustment, as the Minister of State outlined and I urge him to amend it between now and Report Stage. I will consider submitting a revised amendment on Report Stage if he does not accept my amendment today. All Members, including those on the Government side, feel strongly on the issue of information, accountability and getting answers to questions by way of parliamentary questions and Adjournment debates. I urge the Minister of State to have another look at the issue. If he does not accept my amendment now I ask him to consider it between now and Report Stage.