Maurice Quinlivan (Limerick City, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

First, why is there no one from the Department with responsibility for the environment present? We were recently told by the Ceann Comhairle that if somebody from the Department or a Minister of State could not attend that, we would be advised of same. That has not happened. It is no disrespect to the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman. I will proceed but it is totally disrespectful. It has happened to me on a number of occasions now. I have been in touch with the Ceann Comhairle, not on this issue but with regard to Topical Issues, in the past and the firm commitment from the Ceann Comhairle was that in future, Departments would contact Deputies if the Minister or the Minister of State cannot attend. I want to put that on the record.

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