Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I also ask that the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, convey the Senator's concerns to her ministerial colleagues. It is unacceptable that a Minister is not available, even if certain Ministers may not be available for good reason, for example, the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, as Senator van Turnhout noted, does not have a Minister of State. Responses to matters raised on the Adjournment always come in the form of prepared texts, many of which are read out in the House by a Minister from another Department. I have queried this imperfect approach on a number of occasions.

This is a serious issue which should be taken up by the Committee on Procedure and Privileges. In effect, 29 Ministers have chosen to ignore an important institution of State. This raises serious questions to which satisfactory answers should be obtained from the Government. I speak on behalf of colleagues who have probably carried out background research and drafted notes in advance of making a contribution on the important topics they had proposed to raise. I hope the Cathaoirleach, the Committee on Procedure and Privileges and the Leader will do everything in their power to have this most unsatisfactory problem addressed. I ask the Clerk to convey my comments to the Cathaoirleach and the Committee on Procedure and Privileges. I thank the Minister of State for coming before the House. She is the exception to the rule.