As successive ministers took questions on topical issues in the Dáil, Roscommon-Galway independent TD Michael Fitzmaurice and Galway east Fianna Fáil TD Anne Rabbitte were asked to wait for their item on "the difficulties for grain and cereal farmers due to inclement weather" to be discussed. The reason? Agriculture Minister Michael Creed was nowhere to be found.

After other issues were exhausted, Ceann Comhairle Pat The Cope Gallagher was advised that Minister Creed was finally on his way. Deputy Rabbitte insisted on the delay being entered into the Dáil's record. A long blank ensued, followed by the minister's entry into the chamber, to a stern welcome from The Cope. "Minister, can I say that your item was item number two, which would have been taken about 24 minutes ago," the Ceann Comhairle said. "The members are not happy. I understand there was a miscommunication and when you get your breath, you’ll have an opportunity to explain."

A panting Minister Creed apologised unreservedly. He revealed that his summon to appear before the people's representatives had been mislaid by the department's computers just like any old TAMS application.

"There was an IT technical glitch in the department, we weren’t aware we were selected for this until the last 15 minutes," he confessed.

The Dáil quickly moved on to discuss the more pressing matter of tillage farmers on the brink of disaster after heavy rainfall in western areas.