Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

I wonder why legal issues are being invoked here when Standing Order 57 seems very clear. Standing Order 57 states:

Subject always to the right of Dáil Éireann to legislate on any matter (and any guidelines which may be drawn up by the Committee on Procedure and Privileges from time to time), and unless otherwise precluded under Standing Orders, a member shall not be prevented from raising in the Dáil any matter of general public importance, even where court proceedings have been initiated: Provided that...

(4) members may only raise matters in a substantive manner (i.e. by way of Parliamentary Question, matter raised under Standing Order 21, motion, etc.) where due notice is required...

It seems to me there is no barrier to having this issue at least debated and discussed. I repeat that I consider it extraordinary that every news channel and every station outside of this House can debate the issue and facilitate discussion of it yet this House is the last place that can actually do that. Irrespective of the merits or demerits of the case and irrespective of one's views on it, it is an extraordinary state of affairs that the Parliament of the nation is not in a position to debate it.

It seems to me that the Standing Orders allow for it. I believe we should concentrate our minds in terms of facilitating the said Deputy if he wishes to make a statement - Standing Orders allow that - and then to allow a debate on it.

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