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

Before I call the Minister of State to respond, I will say that when it comes to parliamentary questions and Topical Issue matters, I am advised, as all my predecessors have been, on whether I should accept or reject particular questions. There have been a whole host of questions from the Deputy on this particular matter and, with very few exceptions, the advice I have got is to rule him out of order, which I have not done. The reason I have not is that while I fully accept the separation of powers, I also fully accept that Deputy Durkan is a long-serving, distinguished Member of this House who does not raise matters without good reason. He has consistently raised this matter and he is entitled to get a proper and adequate response. I do not know what the response should be. I do not know where right or wrong rests in this, but the very least he or any Member of the House is entitled to is a response.

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