NEWLY-ELECTED Ceann Comhairle of the Dáil Séamus Kirk has written to the main party leaders asking them to adhere to the time limits set out for Opposition leaders’ question time in the chamber.
In the letter Mr Kirk expresses concern about an “over-run” of the time allocated for this item on the order of business and reminds the party leaders of the limits set down in Standing Orders.
Leaders’ Questions takes place each Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday morning when the Dáil is sitting. Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny and Labour leader Eamon Gilmore each get an opportunity to put one question each to Taoiseach Brian Cowen on a topic of the day.
A total of seven minutes is allocated under Standing Orders for each question and reply as well as a supplementary question and reply. The Taoiseach has no advance notification of the nature of the questions to be asked.
Reflecting a more punctilious approach than that of his predecessor, John O’Donoghue, Mr Kirk writes: “Leaders’ question time is regarded as one of the more visible and lively features of Dáil proceedings, enabling topical issues of the day to be raised early in the sitting day and there has been some flexibility in the past in regard to imposing limits.
“I accept that some over-run in the time limits is generally acceptable but I would be concerned that if on a consistent basis the over-run became so significant that a change in Standing Orders would be a more appropriate way to proceed.
“Therefore I ask for your co-operation to take into account the time limits when making your contribution.” He reminds the party leaders that Dáil Standing Order 27 (b) provides for two minutes to ask the question, with three for the Taoiseach’s initial reply.