Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

We begin our new Question Time system. The overall time limit for Question Time remains the same, one hour and 15 minutes, with 30 minutes for Priority Questions and the remaining time for Ordinary Questions. For each question, the individual time limit remains the same, with the addition of 30 seconds for a brief introduction to each question or group of questions. There are six minutes in total. The new innovation is that the Deputy who tabled the question is entitled, if he or she so wishes, to have 30 seconds for a brief introduction of the question. Where questions are grouped for reply, the Deputy whose question is first in the group may introduce the group of questions. These are the rules and it is my job to apply them. They are not necessarily my ideas but what the House has decided. I know I can depend on Members’ co-operation.