Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Independent)

We will now move on to questions and answers. The Taoiseach or another Minister or Minister of State will take questions and answers for a period not exceeding 20 minutes and the following arrangements will apply. There is no set time for a question or an answer but it is normal for the Chair to ask Members to be concise given the short time period available. Opposition parties and groups will be called in the following order to put a question: Sinn Féin, the Labour Party, the Social Democrats, Independent and Parties Technical Group, Independent Technical Group and Other Members. Owing to the short time available, it is usual to allow all Opposition parties and groups to ask at least one question before going back to any party or group for a second question. I now call on the Minister of State.

See this speech in context