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Seanad
‹ Order of Business

Tír na nÓg respite services

Summary

Senator Murnane O’Connor criticises the inadequate response to her Commencement matter on Tír na nÓg respite services and seeks better ministerial procedures.

I wish to address the leader of the Fine Gael group about a disappointing matter. Three weeks ago I tabled a Commencement matter for the attention of the Minister of State, Deputy Finian McGrath, relating to the Tír na nÓg respite services. I am very disappointed because on the day I received an insufficient reply. What should happen when a Minister is called to the House to address an urgent issue in one's home town but one cannot contact anybody or get a reply? Yesterday we spoke about reforming the Seanad. I ask the Leader for reform when a Minister is brought into the House to deal with a specific and urgent question. I had another question about the Holy Angels centre, but I received no answer on it either.

We need to have a protocol in place that will ensure we keep in contact with the Minister of State. I understand not everything can happen overnight, but as a new Senator I am very disappointed that there is no comeback or follow-up. I ask the Leader to address that serious issue because, as I said to the Minister of State that day, I will raise it every month until it is addressed.

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