Ministers answering topical debates
Deputy Tuffy supports parliamentary reform but complains that Ministers of State from unrelated Departments are answering Topical Issue debates; the Ceann Comhairle records her comments.
I support the Ceann Comhairle and Deputy Broughan's comments on Private Members' Bills. The Government's reforms are welcome and it was the Tánaiste's stated intention to rebalance our Parliament in favour of the ordinary Member, but there is a problem with reforms, in that we sometimes revert back to type. Topical Issue debates are an improvement on Adjournment matters, but we are reverting to Ministers of State who are not even from the relevant Departments being sent in to answer questions.
Comment on this
This is not satisfactory. Debates should be taken by Ministers or, at the very least, Ministers of State from the Departments concerned.