Disallowance of questions

Reasons for disallowance

General

A question will be disallowed if it:

• Does not come within the remit and formal responsibility of the Minister and the Minister's Department
• Comes within the remit of a separate body independent of the Minister, such as a local authority, Uisce Éireann/Irish Water, the Courts Service, etc.

Repeat questions

A question will also be disallowed if it is a repeat question. In the case of a question for oral answer, the question will be disallowed if

• It seeks information previously sought and provided through a question for oral answer in the previous two months, unless the position has changed during that time.
• It seeks information previously sought and provided during a debate on a Topical Issue in line with Standing Order 29(A).

In the case of a question for written answer, a question will be disallowed if it seeks information previously sought and provided through a question for oral answer or a question for written answer in the previous two weeks, unless the position has changed during that time.

Other reasons for disallowance

A question will also be disallowed if it:

• Impinges on the collective responsibility of the Government or on Cabinet confidentiality
• Impinges on the Office of Uachtarán na hÉireann
• Impinges on the functions of the courts or of a judicial tribunal, or raises a matter which is sub judice
• Requires the Minister to interpret or express an opinion on a matter of law
• Criticises a judicial decision
• Is hypothetical and calls for undue speculation by the Minister
• Is contentious and argumentative or impinges on a person’s good name rather than genuinely seeking information

Questions that are ruled out of order may not be cited or raised in the House for argument.