Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I recognise that on occasion there is a requirement for a Minister to attend abroad on international business or otherwise. This may well require that while the Minister attends, a Deputy fills in for him or her at Question Time. However, it appears quite a number of claims for rotation of parliamentary questions are being made. This is only a six-week session. While I understand this issue may arise on occasion, I ask the Chief Whip if it is possible to have some sense of stability in this regard.

I am not objecting to the arrangement. For our part, we understand there must be some flexibility. However, I would not like a situation where every week it appears that some Minister of the Government parties wants to swap questions, which means that Opposition spokespersons must make arrangements to comply or be faced with dealing with Ministers of State. In planning ahead on these matters, and as this is only a six or seven-week session, it should not be necessary to have a question every week regarding approval for rotation of parliamentary questions.

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