Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

What is unfolding here highlights the ludicrous scenario that Question Time has become, whereby Opposition spokespersons such as Deputy Calleary and me, who are tasked to hold the Government to account, have seen a reduction in the number of questions we can submit to Ministers while Government Deputies are being given a stronger opportunity to do so. It is obvious that Members on the other side of the House are likely to be less critical and less rigorous in holding Ministers to account. As we are seeing, some Government Deputies are not even bothering to turn up in the Chamber to put the questions they have tabled. For Opposition Deputies to have their ability to question Ministers reduced shows there is a need for reform of this procedure. I ask the Leas-Cheann Comhairle to raise this issue with the powers that be so it can be resolved.

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