Tom Parlon (Laois-Offaly, Progressive Democrats)

I am delighted to be in the House this evening to answer this question. I was quite annoyed to hear of the Deputy's response during the Adjournment debate on 29 March because it is quite normal, depending on circumstances, for different Ministers to take Adjournment debates in the House. For example, while I understand that the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Deputy Brian Lenihan, intends to take the next two matters, I am unsure whether he is responsible for them. There was a late sitting on 29 March and I had an important personal appointment to fulfil. While I do not object to this issue being raised, I have read the Deputy's comments and note that he spoke of my appalling disrespect to the House and to the Leas-Cheann Comhairle. I reject this. There was no disrespect. I could not be present. I discussed the matter with the Ceann Comhairle the following morning and he stated that it was quite normal and that he did not see any difficulty with the practice. Furthermore, my appalling——

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