Cecilia Keaveney (Fianna Fail)

Every time I saw the advertisement, I never saw reference to Donegal in it. I believe there is a new dispensation in the north-west Border counties that needs to be maximised. It has new potential and it involves the jurisdiction in the Six Counties. Therefore, we must find some mechanism to develop discussion, debate and interaction to maximise that potential.

Far be it from me, coming from the other House, to make a suggestion. In the Dáil, Ministers take questions on a rota basis and one knows when they will take questions again. Is there any mechanism in this House whereby Ministers would come to it regularly for a particular period? If there were, we would know when to debate the issue of underperforming teachers, gaelscoileanna and so on and we could gear our discussion towards the relevant Minister. At present, everybody is asking that every Minister come to the House. Unless there is a certain framework, it will be difficult for everybody to deal with issues. It will be difficult also for any Minister to deal with every issue on a specific day.