Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)

Strictly speaking, the business of a committee is a matter for itself until such time as it reports. However, lest the Deputy misconstrues this ruling of the Chair, which is of long standing dating from 1971, I can say that the committee, in considering this matter, sought and accepted the independent advice of the Clerk. The advice was that it would be inappropriate to invite a sitting Ceann Comhairle to attend before it. Thus, an invitation was never extended to me to attend the committee. Should such an invitation have been received, I would have been obliged to consider the matter in light of advice and precedents.

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