Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The position is that the Ceann Comhairle interprets the Standing Orders of the Dáil. The Ceann Comhairle is utterly independent in that position. The Government, following the Guerin report, decided and made a decision to set up a commission of investigation. The Government took legal advice on that and the Government made a decision to set up that investigation. The Ceann Comhairle, in interpreting the Standing Orders as I said to the Dáil here without reading the letter formally, made his ruling under Standing Order 57(3). He uses his authority, in that, under the Standing Order, he has the power either to allow or disallow debate on a matter that he considers to be sub judice. He refers specifically to Standing Order 57(3) for the purpose of his interpretation. So the Ceann Comhairle has ruled on this. To withdraw the motion is of no assistance to anybody because his ruling has already been made clear.

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