Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

It is not agreed. The Taoiseach has introduced a proposal to the House the outworking of which will prevent the party I represent from direct participation in the debate to take place. The use of the word "group" to signify those with more than seven Deputies and the fact that there is not now a technical group, the Taoiseach having hoovered up most of those who made it up over the past five years in constructing his new Government, means that the proposal before the House does not accommodate the Sinn Féin Deputies and Deputy Gregory.

I ask the Taoiseach, as I did earlier, to be fair, mindful and respectful of the mandate of each Deputy and to accord the opportunity to the Sinn Féin Deputies and Deputy Tony Gregory to participate in this debate. This is within the gift of the Taoiseach and the Chief Whip, whom I ask to indicate as I wish; otherwise, I will have to oppose the motion. I ask all fair-minded Deputies on the Government and Opposition benches to oppose the motion unless there is accommodation and respect for our right to have our voices and views heard. I ask the Taoiseach to respond favourably to this request.

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