Peter Fitzpatrick (Louth, Independent) | Oireachtas source

On behalf of the Regional Group, I give my condolences to the family and friends of Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh. I have known Mícheál a long, long time. I spoke to him many a time. His son, Eamonn, lives in Dundalk. I also welcome Natasha O'Brien. We are all behind her. It is a pity she is here under these circumstances.

I will ask the Ceann Comhairle one simple question. Every Tuesday, the Chamber turns into a Punch and Judy show. Why do we have Business Committee meetings on Thursdays, when we talk about the details for the whole week? I get phones calls every Monday and Tuesday from members of the Opposition looking for me to pair with them. A funeral is on today. Many people want to go to these funerals. I thought the reason the Business Committee was put together was to make sure of the Order of Business. Will the Ceann Comhairle please explain to me, as he is the boss in the Chamber at the moment, why we have a Business Committee? In fairness, it is the same people - I will not call them puppets - who stand up here every Tuesday just to get a bit of attention. I ask the Ceann Comhairle to please sort out the Order of Business.

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