John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I have to deal with a bit of farce now, but it is no reflection on the clerk. The Committee on Procedure and Privileges has notified us of an issue that I have been asked to bring to the attention of members. At a meeting on 1 July the Dáil Committee on Procedure and Privileges, CPP, considered the matter of clerks addressing or being asked to address committees during public session. The CPP considered this matter under Standing Order 99(1)(b) as part of its remit to oversee procedures in committees generally. I refer not only to this committee and its clerk but to all committees and clerks. I must inform members that the Dáil CPP decided that clerks should not address or be asked to address committees during public session, apart from in the following circumstances: when taking a vote; in accordance with Standing Order 95; if a quorum is not present 15 minutes after the time appointed for the start of a meeting; and for the election of a Chairman. If members see me tilting a little to the left – I am moving that way politically – it will be to hear what the clerk is saying.