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

I thank Deputy Mitchell. The fact of the matter is that a request under Standing Order 56 has nothing whatsoever to do with the Business Committee. It is none of its business. It is a matter for whoever occupies the Chair.

We did not receive the request until this afternoon and the Business Committee was well over. When I made the decision that we would facilitate the statement, I instructed the secretariat to inform the members of the Business Committee. Indeed, all the Members of the House may have been advised, as was appropriate. Certainly, the Business Committee was advised. I call the Minister of State.

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