Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)

It is another example of Ministers, with the Ceann Comhairle's assistance, abdicating responsibility for their tasks. Unfortunately, it would appear that either the Ceann Comhairle or the Minister's officials who advised him to disallow the question are wrong as I have identified the relevant statutory instruments. SI No. 130/2009, Road Traffic (Licensing Of Drivers) (Amendment) Regulations sets various fees for various driver licences and was signed by the then Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Deputy Noel Ahern. Section 45 of SI No. 203/2009, Road Traffic (Driving Instructor Licensing) (No. 2) Regulations details the charges for driving tests and was signed by the Minister for Transport, Deputy Dempsey, on 29 May 2009. Will the Ceann Comhairle explain to me why these questions were disallowed when they deal directly with Minister's responsibility? Are Ministers advising the Ceann Comhairle to refuse questions or is it that his office is not aware for what Ministers are responsible?

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