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

I want to clarify again for Members, particularly regarding the point Deputy Howlin made about the debate that happens outside the House and the debate that may happen here, that what may happen here is governed by the Standing Orders that the Members put in place. If any of the Standing Orders that we have are preventing us from doing something that we want to do, it is open to the House to change them, but until they are changed, whoever occupies this Chair must implement the Standing Orders.

I want to make clear in respect of the debate last week that questioning as to the level of knowledge the Minister was given by her Department, what she told the Taoiseach she knew and when she knew it are not sub judiceas that does not fall within the terms of reference of the tribunal because that does not involve communications between her and the Garda Commissioner.

However, neither I nor anyone else can allow any debate on communications involving the Garda Commissioner, as such communications are covered by the tribunal's terms of reference and are since covered by Standing Order 59.

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