The Seanad was suspended for a number of hours on Wednesday after a Government minister became unwell and medical help had to be called.
Minister of State for Housing Peter Burke was due to take committee stage of water-related environment legislation when he was reported to be feeling light-headed.
Mr Burke, who has special responsibility for Planning and Local Government, was about to enter the Upper House chamber when colleagues reported he suffered a drop in blood pressure, briefly affecting his sight.
A doctor was called and Oireachtas staff stayed with him for some time in the Seanad ante-chamber until ambulance paramedics arrived to take Mr Burke to hospital “purely as a precaution”.
Housing in Ireland is among the most expensive and most affordable in the EU. How does that happen?
Ceann comhairle election key task as 34th Dáil convenes for first time
Your EV questions answered: Am I better to drive my 13-year-old diesel until it dies than buy a new EV?
Workplace wrangles: Staying on the right side of your HR department, and more labrynthine aspects of employment law
The 40-year-old Longford-Westmeath TD was due to deal with Water Environment (Abstractions and Associated Impoundments) Bill. The Minister, a chartered accountant by profession, was first elected to the Dáil in 2016.
Senators waiting in the chamber for the 4pm start of the debate were subsequently alerted to the delay in proceedings. When business resumed two hours later, they discussed a motion on vaping, calling for it to be banned for anyone under 21.
