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

Before I call the Minister of State to respond, I wish to make the procedures here quite clear. When a Deputy tables an issue for a Topical Issue debate and it is selected, the Department is notified. If the Department is not able to supply a Minister or a Minister of State, the Department is required to contact the Member and tell them so. The Member may then decide to proceed with the Topical Issue debate or not. If people were not happy, then they should not have proceeded. If they were happy, then sin scéal eile. We are very pleased the Minister of State, Deputy Calleary, is here and that he will cast some light on this matter for us.

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