Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle) | Oireachtas source

The procedures for dealing with Topical Issue matters provide that a Minister or Minister of State from the same Department will reply. We have all noticed that the Minister of State, Deputy Catherine Byrne, comes in here and takes the heat on many of these issues. However, it is perfectly in compliance with the strictures of the House to have a Minister of State from the relevant Department take a Topical Issue matter. If Members are dissatisfied with the position, we should review the arrangements to address that.

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