Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I have experienced the other side of the coin in my role as Leas-Chathaoirleach. I am aware of at least three occasions when Senators from different sides of the House, including from my party, failed to come to the Chamber to discuss the matters they had proposed to raise on the Adjournment, leaving Ministers in the House with prepared responses. This practice also needs to be addressed by the Committee on Procedure and Privileges. It is most annoying for Senator van Turnhout that she was not informed earlier that a Minister would not be available and unfair that she discovered this at the last minute.