QUESTION TIME

Dáil Éireann allocates a specific time period commencing at 2.30 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays during which Deputies may ask questions of Members of the Government on matters relating to public affairs connected with their Departments or on matters of administration for which they are officially responsible. This procedure is popularly known as Question Time and is one of the important and better known procedures which Members use to make the Government accountable to Dáil Éireann.

The Taoiseach answers questions on Tuesdays and Wednesdays only while other Members of the Government answer Questions in turn in accordance with an agreed daily rota. The rota repeats itself every five weeks or so thus ensuring that Deputies have an opportunity of questioning each Minister on a regular basis. Members are restricted to two oral questions each to each Minister. Five oral questions can be nominated for priority answer each day. These are allocated between the Parties on the basis of Party strengths.

Not all Questions have to be answered orally. A procedure exists whereby Members can submit questions for written reply to members of the Government. A Member is not restricted in the number of these Questions that can be asked. In 1997, some 13,850 questions were answered. Written questions require three days notice as do Priority Questions, while oral questions require four days notice

On the day, each Question will normally lead to a short exchange by way of supplementary questions which are allowed at the discretion of the Ceann Comhairle. Before a Question can appear on the Dáil Order Paper, which is prepared under the direction of the Ceann Comhairle, it is examined to ensure that complies with the Standing Orders (Rules) of the House. Oral Questions not reached may either receive a written reply or may be held over until the next time the relevant Minister answers Oral Questions.

From time to time, Deputies will wish to ask Questions on matters of urgent public importance which have arisen suddenly and the Ceann Comhairle is empowered under Standing Orders to accept Questions of that nature at very short notice. If accepted by the Ceann Comhairle, these Questions, known as Private Notice Questions, are taken at the end of Question Time.

Question Time is invariably topical and sometimes controversial and consequently attracts substantial media coverage.