David Cullinane (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I am flabbergasted by the Minister of State's response, a copy of which should be given to every citizen of the State if that is what the Minister of State believes. She believes that only the Government should make decisions and not the Oireachtas. This includes the Minister of State's party colleagues on the backbenches. She is saying the Cabinet should make decisions and the Oireachtas does not have any role, that we are not clever enough and that we should not have the ability to hold the Government to account. That is what the Oireachtas is here to do.

The Minister of State's comments are seriously outrageous and I take grave exception to them. I do not know where they have come from, but it is an absolutely outrageous response to what is a reasonable amendment. It shows the disrespect some Ministers have for the Oireachtas and elected representatives and demonstrates that sense of hierarchy that the Government and the Cabinet should make all the decisions and everything should be signed off on by them. So much for the democratic revolution the Taoiseach spoke about if that is the response of the Minister of State. I cannot not let it go. It is one of the most bizarre and outrageous responses to an amendment I have heard from any Minister in this House.