Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

Can the Ceann Comhairle show me the Standing Order that excludes parties with fewer than seven Members from an informal engagement, as the Chief Whip described it? Is the Ceann Comhairle suggesting that there is a precedent or a Standing Order that precludes engagement with a party of fewer than seven? I would guess that there is a precedent for engagement with parties of fewer than seven on such matters, and not just in the informal arena. If the Ceann Comhairle checks the Standing Orders, he will see that Sinn Féin is recognised as a political party with more than two Members, just like any other body. The interpretation applying in this particular instance is neither accurate nor fair.

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