Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy's request is covered by Standing Order 27A(2), which states:

Provided further that where, in exceptional circumstances, the member of the Government or Minister of State officially responsible for the matter is not available on the day, the available member of Government or Minister of State shall so inform the member who has given notice immediately prior to the taking of the matter. The available Minister shall also inform the member who has given notice of the date on which the officially responsible member of the Government or Minister of State will be available. The member who has given notice shall then be given the option to—(a) defer consideration of the matter to the day on which the officially responsible member of the Government or Minister of State will be available, when it will be the first matter to be taken, or

(b) proceed with the matter on the day with the participation of the available member of the Government or Minister of State;

I ask the Minister of State, Deputy White, to specify the day on which the Minister will be available.

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