Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)

Yesterday I raised the issue of the competence and willingness of Ministers to answer questions in the House that are relevant to their Departments. What is going on at present is a disgrace. I expect the Ceann Comhairle, as a recent occupant of these benches, to defend the interests of the Members of the House. Nobody else can do so. I offer a classic example. In the past two days, I received three ridiculous answers to questions in which it is clear that individual Ministers are treating the House with contempt.

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