Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Technically, the Minister of State does not have to respond to Deputy Quinlivan's questions at this stage. Standing Order 151 states:

In Committee, a Bill must be considered section by section. It shall be in order, however, before consideration of a section or sections is entered upon, to move the postponement of the section or sections until another section, other sections or schedules have been disposed of. Any section of a Bill may be amended in Committee, and new sections may be inserted.

The Minister of State can flag when the relevant section has been reached, at which point he can respond to the Deputy's questions, if he so wishes.