Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I do not agree with the Deputy's contention. There is a set procedure for the Adjournment debate, under which notice of matters to be raised is given by Members and replies are provided by the various Departments. It is open to Members on the Government side or those in opposition to give notice of matters they wish to raise on any given day and the Ceann Comhairle will deem which ones are appropriate to that day's debate. Business of this nature has always been dealt with in that way since I entered the House.

Every Minister should seek, as a matter of courtesy, to be present in the House when a matter relevant to his or her Department is being taken. However, there are occasions on which it is not possible for Ministers to be here because they have other duties they are obliged to discharge. Ministers of State are well capable of addressing matters relating to departmental business in the absence of their senior counterparts.

Replies sometimes cannot be made available within the allotted timeframe because investigations into particular matters might be ongoing. The idea that comprehensive answers to private notice questions can be provided within the timeframe to which I refer is unrealistic, particularly when one considers the complexity of some of the issues involved. Obviously, however, there is a duty on Ministers, in whatever capacity, to provide information that is as comprehensive as possible for the House at any given time. That duty is always discharged in a conscientious way by Ministers.

I do not accept the Deputy's contention that an effort is being made by Ministers to avoid their responsibility to be present in the House whenever possible. There are occasions when it is not possible for them to be here and, in such circumstances, their colleagues will reply to matters in their stead. This is not meant as a discourtesy to anyone in the House.

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