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

Before the commencement of Private Members' Business, I remind members that the subject-matter of the motion relates in part to a sitting tribunal of inquiry established by the Houses under the relevant Acts. As Members are aware, the Chair has ruled on a number of occasions that issues before a tribunal are not a matter for the Dáil. The Dáil must not attempt to have a parallel tribunal on these matters. While the motion has broad policy implications which are clearly in order for debate, reference to direct evidence before a tribunal by named or identifiable individuals who have not been convicted of any offence should not be made. There is an onus on Members to ensure their contributions are not in breach of Standing Order No. 56 which states:

[A] matter shall not be raised in such an overt manner so that it appears to be an attempt by the Dáil to encroach on the functions of the Courts or a Judicial Tribunal[.]

I ask Members to bear this in mind when making their contributions.

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