Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle) | Oireachtas source

We can give the Deputy absolute clarity on that. The question of Mr. Verhofstadt addressing the Houses or the committee of the Houses was discussed at the Business Committee prior to the summer where, to the best of my recollection, all of the parties were represented. The nature of the sitting was discussed, which included the three joint committees meeting in session. That approach to Mr. Verhofstadt reflects the priority and the traditional protocols that would apply to people coming to speak before the Houses and nobody, prior to the summer recess, had any problem with that procedure. It was my understanding that everybody who participated in the agreement to go down that way understood what they were agreeing to.

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