John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)

It may be a deficiency in our Standing Orders but it is the case nonetheless that there is no provision for Leaders' Questions on Thursday morning. The questions posed by the Deputy, which are valid and no doubt important, unfortunately do not come within the ambit of Standing Orders as laid down by this House, which I am obliged to implement.

As I explained to Deputy Quinn yesterday, the Chair cannot be responsible for what Ministers give in reply to a Deputy's questions, nor can the Chair have any input whatever, even if the Minister declines to answer the question.

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