John Kelly (Labour) | Oireachtas source

It is not often that I agree with my colleague, Senator Terry Leyden. However, I agree with him on how the business of the House is run, particularly Commencement matters. When we table specific Commencement matters, we want the specific Minister in charge to come to the House and deal with the matter. Over the past four years I have been totally frustrated to have health issues that I tabled for Commencement debates being responded to by, for example, the Minister responsible for small business. Two weeks ago I raised the issue of a Castlerea unit but the Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport took the debate. Today, Senator Leyden tabled the same matter but the Minister of State at the Department of Social Protection attended. I know for a fact that these Ministers know nothing about the issue. All they do is read out a departmental script and, therefore, we have no debate. We ask the questions but receive answers from a man or woman who knows nothing about the issue. Therefore, will the Leader change the way we do business? If I table a health matter, I want the Minister for Health or his Minister of State to respond. It is not as if we are trying to inconvenience Ministers. We are prepared to wait an extra week or two for the relevant Minister to attend.