Gerry Horkan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, back to the House. Before the debate begins, I remind Senators of the need to be cautious in referring to persons outside the House who are not in a position to defend themselves. As Senators will be aware, this House has adopted Standing Orders which seek to strike an appropriate balance between the right of Members to engage freely in debate on matters of public importance and the rights of all persons affected by such debate. Standing Orders 49A, B and C provide for a mechanism by which a person who is of the opinion that he or she has been adversely affected by an utterance can make a written submission and set out procedures for dealing with the matter. In the light of that, Senators should exercise due responsibility in any references they make to persons outside this House.

The procedure will be the Minister will have six minutes, all Senators will have six minutes and the Minister must be given at least six minutes to reply at the end of the debate.