Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The previous Seanad had matters on the Adjournment, which was changed by the then Cathaoirleach and Leader to facilitate Ministers because they felt that, given that we did know when business would finish on a Thursday, Ministers may have gone elsewhere. A morning session was introduced to try to enable Ministers to be here. For example, the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Richard Bruton, is regularly here. When the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Shane Ross, cannot be here he lets people know so that a matter can be withdrawn. It seems as if the Minister of State, Deputy Byrne, is being rolled out day in and day out as a punishment.