Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I do not find this edifying. On the basis of the Ceann Comhairle having made his decision it was reasonable he be given space and time to prepare a statement for the House as he was not afforded the opportunity to do so at a proposed meeting of the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission today. The Ceann Comhairle must also be given time to make arrangements in regard to office personnel and so on. This would be regarded by most people in this House as a fair indication of what should happen given this issue only arose yesterday evening. There are some who cannot step back from dancing on a grave but I am not one of them.

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