Commencement matter withdrawals
The Cathaoirleach reflected on the problem of Commencement matters being withdrawn when ministers are unavailable and suggested a better system for dealing with the high number of disappointed Members.
The final speaker is Senator Lombard. Before he speaks, however, I wish to raise a matter on which the Leader and Members might reflect. I chose four Commencement matters yesterday but three were withdrawn because the Minister was not available, though I will not cast aspersions on any staff or Minister. In future, perhaps there could be a mechanism for improving the situation when, for example, I pick four from 11 matters for debate. I feel guilty when I do not pick one because they are very important to some Members, but six have been withdrawn since I came back three weeks ago. I will talk to the Leader about it when I am back in a week's time.