Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South-Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I will raise a point of order. I say this with the greatest respect for the Minister of State, Deputy Healy-Rae, and it is not any reflection on him. He is doing the job he has been asked to do but it was the custom - I acknowledge this is the general responsibility of the Office of the Ceann Comhairle - that where a Minister or Minister of State from the relevant Department was not available, the Deputy would be asked if he or she wanted to proceed. The first I learned of someone from the relevant Department not being available to take this question was now, as I stand here. That is not right and I might have decided to postpone. I would like this to be conveyed to the Ceann Comhairle.

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