Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will explain the matter in its entirety. Deputy Eamon Scanlon was in possession when the debate was adjourned the previous day. He concluded his contribution this afternoon, at which point we had a rí-rá about the list of speakers along party lines. The order provides that all other Members have ten minutes' speaking time each and that the Minister or a Minister of State shall be called on to make a statement in reply which shall not exceed five minutes. Since no one else was present to fill the remaining speaking slots, the Minister replied. I could have informed him that other Deputies were on their way to the Chamber, but no one gave me information to that effect.

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