James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Smith. I will allow Deputy Ryan to contribute later. Before the Minister responds, though, I wish to address the point that Deputy Smith raised about the protocol and order. There is a set of guidance for the Chair and a protocol that is followed. It is the same convention that is used for Leaders' Questions and every other type of business in the Dáil. It is used to guide committees and it is gender neutral. It is a function of nothing except the direct democratic mandate of each grouping in the Dáil. That is the only function that devises and drives that protocol. I just want to put that on the record.