Before Priority Questions commence I wish to put a matter on the record.
Priority Questions.
Is this a point of order?
I had a question tabled for Priority Questions today and I object in the strongest possible manner that my question was transferred to the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. With your permission I wish to state the question.
The Chair has no control over the transfer of questions. The matter cannot be pursued now. We must proceed with Priority Questions.
The people I represent who are claiming maternity benefit deserve an answer from the Minister today.
What the Deputy states is not in order.
My Department contacted Deputy Moynihan-Cronin in relation to the matter of maternity leave and indicated it is dealt with under the provisions of the Maternity Protection Act, 1994, for which the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform has responsibility. Maternity benefit is contingent on whether a person is entitled to maternity leave and that is dictated by that legislation. For that reason the question was transferred. I suggest the Deputy tables the question to the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform.
The matter cannot be discussed now.
The people I represent deserve an answer.