Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)

I am getting a little lonely in the absence of the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, who has not graced the House with his presence for a considerable time. Would it be possible to encourage him into the House with a view to moving forward the legislation he has planned, such as the Bord Gáis Éireann Bill, the broadcasting Bill, the electricity Bill, the electronic communications Bill, the natural gas Bill and the energy Bill, which are important and urgent? The Minister's continued absence from the House is indicative of a different attitude. He should not take the result of the by-election that badly and boycott the House. What are his plans?

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