Dáil debates
Thursday, 8 December 2005
Order of Business (Resumed).
11:00 am
Tom Kitt (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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I wish to respond to the formal request made by Deputy Kehoe, the Fine Gael Whip, for a debate on the resignation of the former Minister of State, Deputy Callely. I have checked as best I can with regard to precedent and I am led to believe that in the case of the resignations of the then Ministers of State, Deputy Hogan and Mr. Bobby Molloy, a statement was made by the Deputies in question. There was no debate. I have consulted the former Minister of State, Deputy Callely, and he does not wish to make a statement.
Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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He has nothing to say.
Conor Lenihan (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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Deputy Hogan's resignation was due to breaching the Official Secrets Act.
Pádraic McCormack (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Deputy Callely will only talk to Pat Kenny.
Conor Lenihan (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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Deputy Hogan is back on the Fine Gael Front Bench.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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We now move on to the Financial Motions by the Minister for Finance. The Taoiseach should be allowed to make his speech.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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Sorry, Deputy Kenny, we cannot have a debate on this matter.
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I am not going to debate the matter.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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Not now. I have called the Taoiseach to speak on motion No. 5.
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The Minister of State, Deputy Callely, said this matter was bizarre and sinister.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy will have to find another way of raising the matter.
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Despite the fact that the former Minister of State does not want to give an explanation, he did say on national radio that he had written to all his Cabinet colleagues explaining his position.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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I would prefer if Deputy Kenny tabled a substantive motion on the issue. Deputy Kenny is being disorderly. I call the Taoiseach to speak on the financial motion No. 5.
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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We should set time aside today for an explanation of this matter.
Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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On a point of order.
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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It is a matter of national public concern.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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If Deputy Kenny is not happy with Standing Orders he should change them. He knows he can raise the matter in this House by way of substantive motion. I remind him that we are not having a debate on it now.
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The former Minister of State said what was going on was bizarre and sinister. The Minister of State, Deputy Parlon, said there was a conspiracy.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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I ask Deputy Kenny to resume his seat.
Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Why can we not debate it?
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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Deputy Connaughton should also resume his seat.
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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We need an explanation. At the very least we should have the letter of resignation read into the record of the Dáil.
Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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On a point of order, Deputy Kenny read out the remark made by the Taoiseach.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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That is not a point of order.
Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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It is a point of order because a precedent was set.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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The matter has been dealt with this morning.
Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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The Taoiseach set the standard. Is he willing to stand over it now?
Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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It must be plain to the Government at this stage that we want a reasonable period to debate the matters that surround the resignation of Deputy Callely.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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That matter has been dealt with. The House has now moved on to the financial motion. Deputy Rabbitte will have to find another way of raising the matter.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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As the Chair has pointed out numerous times, he will have an opportunity to raise the matter by submitting a substantive motion on the issue.
Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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I have been trying to find a way for the past hour, and you have not been helpful. The resignations of Deputy Hogan and Mr. Bobby Molloy were entirely different on a net point.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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We are not having a debate on the issue now. It is an abuse of the House to continue to raise this matter.
Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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No, Sir. It is a proper use of the House.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Chair has ruled on the matter. I call the Taoiseach to speak on the budget.
Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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There are serious issues surrounding this resignation. The former Minister of State referred to them as bizarre and sinister.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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I am sorry, Deputy. We cannot have a debate on this matter. The Chair has ruled in accordance with Standing Orders and precedent. If Deputy Rabbitte wishes to have a debate on the matter, he must submit a substantive motion.
Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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There are implications that involve other members of the Cabinet, specifically the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Martin.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy can have a debate by submitting the substantive motion.
Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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No, the House will not sit tomorrow.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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Deputy Rabbitte is being disorderly. I ask him to resume his seat.
Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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All I am looking for is Government time today——
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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The issue has been dealt with. That has been raised.
Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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——to discuss the issue. That is the only thing I am looking for.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy cannot continue to raise the matter, as it has already been dealt with this morning. I ask him to resume his seat.
Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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It has not been dealt with this morning.
Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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That is the whole point.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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The manner by which it can be debated has been dealt with.
Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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The matter has not been dealt with.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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I ask Deputy Rabbitte to resume his seat.
Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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The matter has not been dealt with.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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Sorry, the matter of how it can be debated in this House has been dealt with. We have spent far too long debating it. I ask Deputy Rabbitte to resume his seat.
Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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The Minister debates on the national airwaves but not here.
Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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I see no point in this House continuing.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy may well see no point in the House but the Standing Orders are there.
Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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I see no point in the House continuing.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Taoiseach on the budget.
Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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On a point of order, the precedent has been disrespected by the other side of the House.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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Sorry, the issue of how it can be debated has been discussed.
Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The Ceann Comhairle is helping to smother debate in this House by his actions.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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There is no precedent.
Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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It has been railroaded through.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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There is no precedent for unstructured debate in this House.
Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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There is a precedent.
Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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Is Deputy Quinn not satisfied? Has he no heart? He has come far ahead.
Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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He can tell the nation. He will not make a statement in here but he will make one on the Pat Kenny show.
Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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On a point of order.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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If it is not a point of order, the Deputy will leave the House.
Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Why did the Ceann Comhairle's predecessor give a different ruling to him?
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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My predecessors did not give a different ruling. If the Deputy wants the salient rulings of the House, there are dozens of them.
Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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On a point of order, when the former Minister of State, Deputy Ned O'Keeffe, resigned, we had a statement and questions in the House. That is a precedent.
Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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That is the way it should be done.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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That is not a point of order.
Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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There is a precedent. You said there was no precedent.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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We will move on to the budget now. The Deputies are to find another way to raise it.
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I remind the Ceann Comhairle of the words of the Taoiseach, when he said——
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy has already said the words.
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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——quite rightly about Deputy Lowry that he has a "duty to satisfy Dáil Éireann, the supreme authority in the land and the one to which he remains answerable."
Conor Lenihan (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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£200,000 versus £1,500 — some extension.
Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Deputy Lenihan is awake.
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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We need an explanation in here. The Taoiseach knew what happened. He was given a letter this morning.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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I ask for ciúnas, please.
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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This House needs to have a debate about this for one hour. We can talk about the budget all next week.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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This House can have a debate under Standing Orders, as the Chair has already pointed out. I ask the Deputy to resume his seat.
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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We have made a formal request to the Government for a debate. There are clearly precedents on a number of occasions.
Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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He can talk on the Pat Kenny show and he cannot talk in here.
Pádraic McCormack (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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He is dying to talk.
Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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On a point of order, the Government Chief Whip said that Deputy Callely——
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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That is not a point of order.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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It is not a point of order. The Chair has ruled. I call on Deputy McManus. The Deputy will resume his seat.
Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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The Ceann Comhairle did not hear my question.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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Sorry, that is not a point of order.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy wishes to debate the issue.
Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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The point of order is that the Government Chief Whip was allowed to make a statement. He said that the option was——
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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That is not a point of order.
Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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The point of order is that the option is open to Deputy Callely to make a statement.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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Sorry, the Deputy will resume his seat.
Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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The Pat Kenny show is now the new Dáil Chamber.
Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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The Ceann Comhairle can put me out if he wants but the people are entitled to hear the Minister of State in this House.
Conor Lenihan (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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What Minister of State? He is no longer a Minister of State.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy will resume his seat.
Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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We are entitled to hear him in here.
Pádraic McCormack (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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He is making statements everywhere.
Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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If we can hear him on the Pat Kenny show, we can hear him in here. We want to hear him here. The Ceann Comhairle can put me out if he wants. I want to hear the former Minister of State in the House to which he was elected, not on the airwaves.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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I ask Deputy O'Dowd to resume his seat and listen to the Chair on the point he raised.
Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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I want to hear the former Minister of State.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy should resume his seat.
Pádraic McCormack (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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He will have a few good statements to make.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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It is Deputy Callely's prerogative whether he wishes to make a statement. It is nobody else's decision. If he wishes——
Seán Ryan (Dublin North, Labour)
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He has been told by the Taoiseach not to speak.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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It does not arise in the House. Deputy McManus wishes to speak.
Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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On a point of order.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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Will everybody get up and speak together and we will get all the points of order? I call Deputy McManus.
Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Everybody understands that it is the Ceann Comhairle's task to keep order in this House and that is not always an easy one. However, the Ceann Comhairle depends on precedent to keep order in this House.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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No, Standing Orders and precedent.
Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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The precedent is very clear now. The two Ministers of State came in here and made statements in the past.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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Sorry, the Chair has already stated that it is a matter for any Deputy in this House——
Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Another former Minister not only made a statement but had a debate.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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——and the Chair will protect Standing Orders and precedents in this House on that matter.
Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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How does the Ceann Comhairle think he will keep order in the future if he cannot rely on precedents?
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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That is a matter for the Deputy. It is not a matter for the House to decide what Deputy speaks or does not speak.
Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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We now have a situation where it is clear that the Taoiseach has silenced the Minister of State. We will not take this because——
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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We will move on. I call on the Taoiseach.
Pádraic McCormack (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Will the Taoiseach let him speak?
Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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On a point of order, it is true that we are all bound by Standing Orders but we are also bound by the Constitution. There is a constitutional obligation on the House to hold the Executive accountable to Parliament.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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That is provided for in Standing Orders and the Chair has already pointed out how it is done.
Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Under the Constitution, the Executive — the Government — is accountable to the people through the Dáil.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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The business of the House has been decided for today.
Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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A decision was made this morning on the resignation of a Minister——
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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Sorry, we will have to move on.
Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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——which in any parliament in any democracy would be subject to debate.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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That is not a point of order.
Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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This is about the Constitution. This is about the constitutional responsibility of the Government to be accountable to the House.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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Deputy Gilmore has an opportunity in this House to submit a substantive motion if he wants to have a debate. I call on Deputy Seán Ryan.
Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The House will not sit tomorrow. Today is the day to debate this issue here.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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The business of the House has been decided for today.
Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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This issue could be resolved if the time was allocated to permit the former Minister of State, Deputy Callely, to make a statement and for the matter to be debated.
Ciarán Cuffe (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
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We have three days left to debate this.
Seán Ryan (Dublin North, Labour)
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I have given serious consideration to what I will say this morning.
Seán Ryan (Dublin North, Labour)
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On a point of order, I believe the Ceann Comhairle is protecting the Taoiseach and the Government and is denying democracy.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy will withdraw that statement.
Seán Ryan (Dublin North, Labour)
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The Minister of State has been instructed by the Taoiseach not to speak inside this House.
Conor Lenihan (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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That is a straight lie.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Chair is on his feet. Deputy Ryan will withdraw the statement that the Chair is protecting the Government.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy will leave the House.
Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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If the Ceann Comhairle keeps on like this there will be no one left.
Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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On a point of order, during that exchange, a Minister of State accused a Member of the House of being a liar. Will that be addressed?
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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I deem that Deputy Seán Ryan be suspended from the service of the Dáil. Is that opposed? Yes. The vote will take place next Tuesday.
Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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On a point of order.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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We are dealing with a point of disorder. I will hear him.
Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Why should he leave? There has not been a vote yet.
Seán Ryan (Dublin North, Labour)
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The former Minister of State has been instructed by the Government not to speak in Dáil Éireann but he can speak on the radio and television.
Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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We were allowed to hear Deputy Callely speak on "Today with Pat Kenny".
Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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A Minister has accused a Member of the House of being a liar. Will the Ceann Comhairle deal with that issue?
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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Sorry, Deputy Howlin, we are dealing with a point of disorder.
Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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I do not recall this ever happening before.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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Deputy Ryan must leave the House.
Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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On a point of order——
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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We cannot have a point of order in the middle of a point of disorder. Deputy Ryan must leave the House. Will he leave the House?
Seán Ryan (Dublin North, Labour)
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I am being asked to leave the House while the Government is not prepared to take the opportunity to deal with the issue before the House.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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I ask Members to respect the fact that this is a national parliament, not a crèche.
Seán Ryan (Dublin North, Labour)
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Yes, but the Ceann Comhairle is denying the fact.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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We are dealing with a point of disorder. We cannot have a point of order when dealing with a point of disorder.
Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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On what basis is the Ceann Comhairle asking Deputy Ryan to leave the House, since the House has not voted on the matter?
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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Deputy Ryan must leave the House.
Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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On what basis? The House has not decided the matter.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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He must leave the House for being disorderly in the House and making serious allegations against the Chair.
Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The House has not decided the matter. The Ceann Comhairle cannot ask Deputy Ryan to leave the House when the House has not decided the matter.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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Under Standing Order No. 61, I have asked Deputy Seán Ryan to leave the House.
Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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No such decision has been made by the House.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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Sorry, Deputy, under Standing Order No. 61, provision is made for a vote.
Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The House has not decided. Where is the vote? Where is the Ceann Comhairle's authority when the House has not voted? The Ceann Comhairle cannot ask a Member of this House to leave the House when the House has not voted on the matter.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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Standing Order No. 61 is quite specific.
Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Yes, but Deputy Ryan does not have to leave because the House has not voted.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Standing Order states clearly that a division claimed is postponed until before the Order of Business on the next sitting day, and the Deputy stands suspended and must withdraw from the Chamber. That is the standing order, put in place by the Members of this House.
Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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On what basis does the Ceann Comhairle presume what the decision of the House will be?
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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I am not presuming.
Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The Ceann Comhairle does not know the decision of the House. The House must vote.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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I am not presuming anything. That is the Standing Order and if the Deputy wants to defy Standing Orders, that is a matter for him, but the Chair cannot allow that. Deputy Ryan is to leave the House.
Pádraic McCormack (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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This would all be sorted if the Taoiseach allowed Deputy Callely to speak.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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I ask Deputy Seán Ryan to leave the House.
Seán Ryan (Dublin North, Labour)
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It is a disgrace that I have been asked to leave the House.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy has been disorderly.
Seán Ryan (Dublin North, Labour)
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The details of the resignation of the Minister of State are not being given.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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I ask the Deputy to leave the House.
Seán Ryan (Dublin North, Labour)
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The Taoiseach has told Deputy Callely not to give an explanation.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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I ask the Deputy to leave, please.
Seán Ryan (Dublin North, Labour)
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I leave in protest. It is a poor day for democracy when I have to leave the House.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy has been disorderly.
Seán Ryan (Dublin North, Labour)
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A great deal of information on this matter can be told on radio but it cannot be debated in this House.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy is asked to leave because he has been disorderly.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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I remind the House that we have now spent an hour and a half on the Order of Business. That is the fault of the Members who interrupt. The business of the House was to debate the budget, when there would be an opportunity for Members to raise most issues. Clearly, Members are trying to frustrate us getting on to the budget.
Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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I have not so far interjected in this debate. The Ceann Comhairle may not have heard it, but during his exchange with Deputy Seán Ryan, a Minister of State accused a Member of this House of being a liar. In my experience in this House, that has never been allowed pass.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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When the Chair hears such a remark it does not allow it to stand. If a Member made such a remark I would ask the Member to withdraw it.
Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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The Ceann Comhairle now knows the remark was made.
Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Will the Ceann Comhairle listen to the tape? This House's proceedings are recorded.
Conor Lenihan (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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I withdrew the remark. I corrected the remark just after I made it.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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We will move on to Financial Motion No. 5.
Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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I made a formal request this morning to the Chief Government Whip for the Minister of State, Deputy Callely, to make a statement, or to have a debate in this House on the matter we have been discussing. As a new Member of this House, elected in 2002, I believe it is a sad day for democracy.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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It is a matter for Deputy Callely, if he wishes to make a statement. It is not a point of order
Damien English (Meath, Fine Gael)
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The Ceann Comhairle should let Deputy Kehoe speak.
Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Yesterday evening, on RTE1 and on TV3 we heard an interview by Deputy Callely.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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That does not arise. Deputy McEntee to speak on a point of order.
Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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This morning, on the "Today with Pat Kenny" radio show, we heard an interview with Deputy Callely.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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That is not a matter for the House.
Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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This is an absolute shame. Millions of people outside this House are talking about democracy in the House.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy is entitled to his opinion.
Pádraic McCormack (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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It is a matter for the Taoiseach.
Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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The Ceann Comhairle should take his tablets.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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I have called Deputy McEntee.
Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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I would like to finish my point of order.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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It is not a point of order.
Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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It is. For the sake of democracy, Deputy Callely should make a statement to the House.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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That is not a point of order. It is a matter entirely for Deputy Callely. This House cannot force any Member, on any side of the House, to make a statement if he or she does not wish to make one.
Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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In 1994, Deputy Hogan gave a statement to this House.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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Having spoken about democracy, perhaps the Deputy will allow us to get on with the business of the House.
Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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If Deputy Callely will not make a statement, will the Taoiseach make one?
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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The business for the day has already been decided.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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It is a decision of the House.
Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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It is not. This is a sad day for democracy. Two people in this House should make statements, namely the Taoiseach and Deputy Callely. They should make simple statements to the House. In recent days, two Ministers of State, Deputies Parlon and Kitt, were allowed to make statements to the House. Deputy Callely and the Taoiseach should be allowed to do the same.
Pádraic McCormack (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Deputy Callely is getting ready to make his speech. He is nearly ready.
Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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I cannot accept the ruling of the House.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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I am sorry the Deputy cannot do so. I call on Deputy McEntee.
Shane McEntee (Meath, Fine Gael)
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On a point of order, speaking as the newest Deputy in the House, who found himself in the same position last week with regard to a situation in Meath, I believe this must be resolved. I ask the Taoiseach to take the bull by the horns and sort this out. He need only make a statement to clear the air.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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Sorry, Deputy, the issue has been dealt with for today.
Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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On a point of order, there are intense Cabinet discussions going on over on the other side of the House as to what to do.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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That is not a point of order.
12:00 pm
Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Can we allow the Cabinet to have its discussions and can we get Deputy Callely to make a statement? Deputy Callely is clearly having a discussion with his former colleagues in Government. Can we hear the outcome of those discussions? The Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Deputy Brennan, has been having discussions with Deputy Callely and with the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Ahern. Can we hear the outcome of those discussions?
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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Deputy Jim O'Keeffe is called.
Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The Minister for Arts, Sports and Tourism, Deputy O'Donoghue, has something to say as well. Can we hear the Government, or have they joined the Carmelites and gone into silence? Has the Government joined a monastic order? St. Augustine——
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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Deputy Burton is being totally disorderly. I ask her to have some respect for the decision the House made this morning to debate the budget.
Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Yesterday, the Minister of State, Deputy Callely, seemed to be on the run. Today, the Government appears to be on the run.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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That is not a point of order.
Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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As a long-standing Member of this House, could I suggest that the Taoiseach take into account the strong views of this House? Will he reconsider at this stage?
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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The matter has already been dealt with this morning.
Pádraic McCormack (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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The Minister for Defence will have to get his gun.
Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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A brief debate for an hour would solve the problem. Otherwise the Government can hide but cannot run from this issue.
Damien English (Meath, Fine Gael)
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Tomorrow morning, I am expected to visit schools and talk about democracy in Dáil Éireann. What am I supposed to say to the students tomorrow when I am asked about corruption or politics——
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy should tell them the Order of Business is supposed to take 20 minutes but is taking an hour and a half today because Members will not accept the decisions that were made.
Conor Lenihan (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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Deputy English should tell the students he is still learning.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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We are moving on now.
Damien English (Meath, Fine Gael)
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I will not sit down. I want an answer from the Taoiseach.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy has made his point.
Damien English (Meath, Fine Gael)
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What am I to say to the students?
Conor Lenihan (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy should tell them a week is a long time in politics and that he is still learning.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy has made his point. It is nothing to do with the Chair or even the House what he tells people tomorrow.
Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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On a point of order——
Damien English (Meath, Fine Gael)
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Tomorrow morning I must answer questions——
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy has made his point. It is not a point of order and it is not a matter for the House what he tells people. In the Deputy's position, I would tell them we spent an hour and a half on the Order of Business, which should have taken 20 minutes, because Members would not obey the decisions that were made.
Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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There is a precedent in all of this. If a Minister is sacked or resigned, he or she normally makes a statement. If the Minister has chosen not to make a statement——
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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We have already had a question on that issue and the decision is made.
Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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——it is incumbent on the Taoiseach to explain why he either sacked the person in question or accepted his or her resignation.
Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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It is the return of the Pink Panther.
Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The House is entitled to hear it. If the Deputy did not take the offer to make a statement, the Taoiseach is obliged to do so.
Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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Deputy Quinn's veil of respectability always slips when somebody is in trouble.
Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The Taoiseach should stand up and make a statement. The House can then get on with its business. We will hold this Executive to account within Standing Orders. The precedent of this House is that the statement is made by the ex-Minister.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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Sorry, Deputy——
Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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What is the Taoiseach hiding?
Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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If, for whatever, reason, he is either silenced or refuses to make the statement, the man who sacked him or accepted his resignation should make the statement. He should do so because he is accountable to this House.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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That is the Deputy's point of view. We cannot have a debate on this issue now.
Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Deputy Callely is accountable to this House, not to Pat Kenny.
Conor Lenihan (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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Deputy Callely is no longer a Minister of State. He is accountable to the electorate.
Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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I wish to make a point of order. In the interests of the order of the House, would it not be better for the Taoiseach to reconsider his decision, to allow the debate to take place now——
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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That is not a point of order.
Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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——and to give an indication as to why Deputy Callely——
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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The business of the House has already been decided.
Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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——has taken an uncustomary vow of silence?
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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Deputy Durkan should allow the Taoiseach to make a statement on the budget debate which should have commenced at 10.50 a.m.
Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Members of this House need to know why Deputy Callely has taken a vow of silence. He was never silent before.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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It is obvious that Deputy Durkan wishes to disrupt the business of the House.
Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Deputy Callely was never silent before. Why has he become suddenly silent? Was he silenced or did he take a vow of silence?
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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I ask the Deputy to resume his seat.
Damien English (Meath, Fine Gael)
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I have two points to make. First, was Deputy Callely——
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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That is not a point of order. I ask the Deputy to resume his seat.
Damien English (Meath, Fine Gael)
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This damage to the reputation of politics——
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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Deputy, as I have pointed out, this is a national, democratic Parliament. It is not a crèche and we are not going to behave like it is.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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I call the Taoiseach to address the House.
Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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What is Deputy Callely hiding?
Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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I wish to make a point of order. Why cannot the Taoiseach explain what happened——
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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That is not a point of order. I ask the Deputy to resume his seat. This is a democratic Chamber and Deputies cannot come in and ride roughshod over the rules.
Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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I give no trouble in this House. Why did Deputy Callely leave the House in the last few minutes?
Pádraic McCormack (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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The Taoiseach gave him the go ahead to do so.
Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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It was the Taoiseach and Ministers who stopped him from speaking. He is not allowed to speak in here.
Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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I wish to be helpful to the House by making a point of order. Nobody is in mind to give the budget debate and the Taoiseach's speech the attention they deserve.
Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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Deputy Broughan should speak for himself.
Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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I propose as a point of order that we adjourn——
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Order of Business has already been dealt with. I appeal to Deputies to allow the House to do the business that has been ordered by Members through a majority decision.
Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Will the Ceann Comhairle listen to Deputy Broughan's suggestion?
Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Deputy Broughan should be allowed to speak.
Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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I propose that we adjourn for 15 or 20 minutes to allow the Whips to meet and try to resolve this matter.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Chair does not intend to adjourn the House.
Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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I believe it is the wish of the House that we adjourn and have a Whips' meeting immediately.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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I am sure the Whips meet regularly.
Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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I support Deputy Broughan——
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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That is not a point of order.
Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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It is a point of order. In the interests of democracy, I ask the Ceann Comhairle to allow a debate to clear the air once and for all. Let Deputy Callely come into the House——
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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In the interests of democracy, I ask Deputy Durkan to accept the decision made by the House this morning.
Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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It was forced upon the House by the Government.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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That is majority rule and the Deputy must accept it.
Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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It is not democracy but totalitarianism. The Taoiseach is letting himself, the House and the country down by refusing to allow a debate on an issue such as this.
Conor Lenihan (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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We cannot force Deputy Callely to speak. We cannot torture him.
Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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The Minister of State, Deputy Conor Lenihan, should have a snooze.
Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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It is safer when he is asleep.
Conor Lenihan (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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I am awake today.
Pádraic McCormack (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Does he talk in his sleep?
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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Deputy Durkan is making a farce out of the House. I call the Taoiseach.
Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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Before I make my statement on the budget, I wish to comment on this matter. I have listened to the discussion for an hour and three quarters. The rule when a Minister or Minister of State resigns——
Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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I ask Deputies to listen. In such cases, I make an announcement for the information of the House. I announced this morning that I accepted the resignation from office of the Minister of State, Deputy Callely. He tendered his resignation as Minister of State in writing and I accepted it. He did so, according to his letter, in the public interest in view of the fact that the ongoing controversies made it impossible for him to carry out his ministerial duties effectively and productively. In a statement I issued to the public an hour and 40 minutes ago——
Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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No such statement was provided in this House.
Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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I ask Deputies to listen. I am trying to address the point made by Deputy Quinn.
I thank Deputy Callely for his dedicated contribution to the work of the Government in his role at the Departments of Health and Children and Transport in the last three years. If the Deputy wishes to make a personal statement, it is totally open to him, or any Deputy, to do so. It is a very difficult day for Deputy Callely. I spoke to him at length late last night and again early this morning. He does not wish to make a personal statement.
Pádraic McCormack (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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The Taoiseach should make a statement.
Damien English (Meath, Fine Gael)
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Deputy Callely should be obliged to make such a statement; it should not be a case of wishing not to do so.
Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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Will Deputies please listen? He does not wish to make a personal statement.
Damien English (Meath, Fine Gael)
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What about the effect this has on people's perception of politics?
Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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It is a question of respect for this House.
Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Government ordered the business today and, as has always been the practice on the day following a budget, the Taoiseach and the leaders or spokespersons of Opposition parties make their statements. That process normally happens straight after the Order of Business. It is a matter for Deputy Callely whether he, at any stage during the day or next week, wishes to make a statement. He is not bound by any rule of the Dáil, the Government, the Fianna Fáil Party or anyone else.
Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Does the Taoiseach believe he should make a statement?
Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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It is a matter of his democratic right. I wish to make my budget statement.
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I respect the Taoiseach's comment in regard to the resignation of the former Minister of State, Deputy Callely. However, this matter has gone beyond that——
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy cannot——
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The Minister of State himself said this matter was sinister and bizarre. At the heart of either administrative or executive Government, there are clear implications that this story will run and run. We cannot and we should not want to force anyone to make a statement, but the House deserves an explanation of these bizarre and sinister happenings. We also need a response to the fundamental allegation that is now circulating. Did the former Minister of State, Deputy Callely, brief his former senior colleague at the Department of Health and Children about the illegal charges being imposed on long-stay patients in public institutions?
John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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That has nothing to do with it.
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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That goes to the heart of Government.
Conor Lenihan (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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It is totally unrelated.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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Deputy Kenny has made his point.
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I do not know anything about why this has happened. The former Minister of State, Deputy Callely, has said it was bizarre and sinister that this matter emerged close to and on the day of the budget. It is obvious that the Minister of State, Deputy Parlon, was not fully informed when he said this was the next best thing to a conspiracy.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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I call Deputy Rabbitte on the same issue.
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I agree with Deputy Broughan, who made the valid suggestion that the House should be suspended for ten minutes to allow the Whips to get together.
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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A public discussion should be arranged, without Deputy Callely if needs be.
Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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We should have an orderly debate.
Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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I agree with the Taoiseach that no Deputy would want to force another Member of the House to make a personal statement if he or she does not want to do so. I accept that there is a contradiction in a Member being quite happy to make several statements outside the House but not being willing to address the House at all for whatever reason. There is no compulsion on Deputy Callely or any other Member to make a personal statement in the House. There are issues surrounding the resignation of the former Minister of State which are important in terms of the functioning of the Government. The central issue about which I am concerned is the claim by the Minister, Deputy Martin, that he was not aware of the nursing homes issue.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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That does not arise.
Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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We know that he had been briefed and that he had the documents. The former Minister of State, Deputy Callely, personally briefed him and briefed the Taoiseach.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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That does not arise at this time.
Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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The issue that arises, which could be resolved outside this Chamber, is the proposal of my colleague, Deputy Broughan, that a 15-minute opportunity be provided to enable the Whips to meet. Provision will have to be made to allow this matter to be debated in so far as it relates to the leadership of the Taoiseach.
Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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I am not calling on Deputy Callely to make a personal statement if he does not wish to make one. Adequate provision will have to be made to allow Members to discuss the issues which arise from this resignation. That is all we ask of the Taoiseach.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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I will allow brief comments from the leaders of the Green Party and Sinn Féin groups.
Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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I accept what the Taoiseach has said. It is true that many Deputies have considerable sympathy, from a personal point of view, for the difficult position in which Deputy Callely has found himself today. Given that the Dáil will not meet again before next Tuesday, it is likely that the speculation about the reasons for Deputy Callely's resignation as Minister of State will gather momentum over the weekend. The Taoiseach might then regret that it was not possible to allow this matter to be debated in the House today and finalised to the point of satisfying whatever need there is to know the circumstances behind the resignation.
I ask the Taoiseach to facilitate a brief suspension of the Dáil so that arrangements can be put in place to give him an opportunity to make a brief statement. I suspect that the Taoiseach knows as much about Deputy Callely's resignation as the Deputy himself. The former Minister of State should also be allowed to say what has to be said in a formalised way.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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I suppose the Chair should point out that the Whips have not been involved in the first couple of hours of this debate. Therefore, there is no reason the House should suspend to enable the Whips to meet.
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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I join the appeal to the Taoiseach to avail of the opportunity to address the House on this very important issue. It is regrettable that so much critical time has been lost at a time when the House is scheduled to discuss something of such importance as the budget. I appeal to the Taoiseach to be mindful of the need of Members to have the matter substantively addressed. Deputy Callely has made his choice. That is his decision and he cannot be compelled to address the House. I appeal to the Taoiseach to avail of the opportunity to put the issues before the House firmly on the record, to explain the situation and to have the record stand accordingly.
Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Fifteen minutes would sort it out.
Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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As I have said, the Chief Whip may wish to talk to Deputy Callely to find out whether he wishes to make a statement. Deputy Callely may wish to do so, but as of now he does not. This is my statement; I will have no more to say on the matter. Deputy Callely has been involved in a number of controversies, all of which are in the public domain, over a period of some time. The controversies have made his life and his job impossible to carry out. He set that out for me in a letter today. He thinks the way he has been treated has been very unfair, but he accepts that it has made his job impossible and I accept that position. He is a hard-working person, but he has become involved in these controversies which have not done him or anyone else much good. He accepts that position. That is my statement; I have no more to say. It is politically mischievous to raise other issues about Deputy Callely's past and the Ministers under whom he has worked. That is the end of my statement.
Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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That is rich coming from the Taoiseach.
Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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Can I make my statement on the budget now?
Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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It is like the song, "Ten Green Bottles". Which will be the next to fall?
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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We need to move on to the next item.
Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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Can I please make my statement on the budget?
Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Do we have an opportunity to reply to the Taoiseach's statement on Deputy Callely?
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Chair allowed——
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Taoiseach made a statement, the leaders of the four Opposition parties made statements and the Taoiseach replied.
Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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His reply contained some new material.
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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That is the end of it, as far as we are concerned, for today. We are now moving on to the Taoiseach's statement on the financial resolutions.
Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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We sought a debate, a Cheann Comhairle.
Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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On a point of order——
Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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We cannot have a debate on it.