Apart from the Taoiseach, members of the Government answer on the basis of a daily rota, each of them answering questions on one day in approximately every five weeks. Members or their staff can complete these steps, but final questions should be sent from a Member's Oireachtas email to the Questions Office.
Guidelines for writing questions
- Confirm whether the question is for oral, substitute oral, priority oral, private notice or written reply.
- A private notice question must relate to a matter which, in the opinion of the Ceann Comhairle, is of urgent public importance and has arisen so suddenly as to prevent Members from tabling ordinary oral or written questions within the normal deadlines.
- Determine who the question is to be asked of and commence the question with “To ask the Taoiseach/Minister for …”. Use the correct ministerial title.
- If the question is to a Minister, ensure the Minister has responsibility for the area. Questions to a Minister must concern public affairs or matters of administration for which that Minister is officially responsible, including Government policy in respect of bodies under the aegis of that Minister’s Department.
- Ensure the question is brief and seeks fact or policy.
- Ensure it does not contain personal imputation or rumour.
- Finish the question with “if he/she will make a statement on the matter”, if you are seeking further comment.
- Members should put their name at the end of each question
Oral questions
Ensure you are not submitting more oral questions than allowed.
Taoiseach | 3 for oral answer and 3 substitutes for oral answer
Minister | 2 for oral answer and 2 substitutes for oral answer, or 5 in the case of spokespersons.
Deadlines
Ensure you meet the deadline for submission of questions.
Taoiseach’s orals | 11 a.m. 4 days previous
Ordinary orals | 11 a.m. 4 days previous
Priority orals | 11a.m. 3 days previous
Writtens | 11 a.m. 3 days previous
Private notice | 2.30 p.m. on the day they are to be asked
Compile all questions to be submitted into a Word file or into one email and send to Questions Office. Alternatively, hard copies of questions may be submitted on pre-printed forms using the question box in the Oireachtas Library Reading Room.
How to access PQ responses
Written responses to questions are provided to the mailbox of the TD concerned on the day of answer.
All responses are included in the Official Report and can be searched and accessed on the website.
Recent questions are also accessible on the website through the individual Members page. Simply search for the member and scroll down to the recent questions area.
Last Updated: Wed, 13 Nov 2024