Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity) | Oireachtas source

Hundreds of Taoiseach's questions will not be asked. For example, personally, in that slot, I have raised repeal when nobody else in this Dáil was interested. I raised trans healthcare and many other topics that there is no way any of the Taoiseach's backbenchers will ask him about. We heard a lot about the terrible plight of the lonely backbencher. My heart was bleeding until I remembered that these backbenchers have direct access and an inside track to Ministers. They frequently organise meetings in constituencies with Ministers to which they do not invite Opposition TDs.

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