Dáil debates

Tuesday, 26 June 2007

6:00 pm

Photo of John O'DonoghueJohn O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I move: "That Deputy Ring be suspended from the service of the Dáil."

Photo of Michael RingMichael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

When you quote the Standing Order, I will then leave the House.

Photo of John O'DonoghueJohn O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Is the motion opposed?

Deputies:

Yes.

Photo of John O'DonoghueJohn O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I am obliged to put the question.

Photo of Enda KennyEnda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

This is outrageous carry-on.

Photo of John O'DonoghueJohn O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

It is not outrageous carry-on. It is in accordance with the rules of the House.

Photo of Paul KehoePaul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

It is scandalous how you are carrying on.

Photo of Enda KennyEnda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

On a point of order, I wish to make the point——

Photo of John O'DonoghueJohn O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The division in accordance with Standing Orders may not be taken now. However, in accordance with all precedents of this House Deputy Ring must now leave.

Photo of Michael RingMichael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I will not leave the House now.

Photo of John O'DonoghueJohn O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I will suspend the House for ten minutes.

Sitting suspended at 5.50 p.m. and resumed at 6 p.m.

Photo of John O'DonoghueJohn O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I note Deputy Ring has still not left the House. I will ask him one more time to leave the House.

Photo of Enda KennyEnda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

A Cheann Comhairle, on a point of order——

Photo of John O'DonoghueJohn O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

If Deputy Ring is not prepared to leave the House, I propose to adjourn the proceedings for a further ten minutes.

Photo of Michael RingMichael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

That is fine, a Cheann Comhairle.

Photo of John O'DonoghueJohn O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The sitting is suspended for a further ten minutes.

Sitting suspended at 6.01 p.m. and resumed at 6.10 p.m.

Photo of John O'DonoghueJohn O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I will explain to Members the reason for my decision to name Deputy Ring. It was because Deputy Ring imputed unfairness to the Chair. No such allegation can be made in the House against the Chair. It is my function to be fair to every Member of the House, irrespective of his or her political persuasion or none, and I have sought to do this. The difficulty is that Deputy Ring persisted in saying I was making the rules up as I was going along. Nothing could be further from the truth. The position is set out very clearly in Standing Order 9. I could not take the amendment proposed by Deputy Kenny. I again reassure Members that it is not possible for the Chair to accept an imputation like that. It is not possible to have the integrity of the Chair undermined in that way because if that were to happen, the integrity of the House itself would be undermined and I could not stand for that. I must again ask Deputy Ring to leave the House.

Photo of Michael RingMichael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I will leave the House. The Ceann Comhairle already named a Member of this House today three times and did not ask that Member to leave the House. He did not quote to me the Standing Order he used in respect of the imposition of the Leas-Cheann Comhairle. I will leave this House under protest on the basis that if the Ceann Comhairle continues in the way in which he has been continuing, there will be a vote of no confidence in him quicker than he knows. I am leaving the House under protest. I did nothing wrong and was treated unfairly in this House today.

Photo of Emmet StaggEmmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

On a point of order, it would seem that in the excitement the Ceann Comhairle inadvertently forgot No. 5. It has not been dealt with.

Photo of John O'DonoghueJohn O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I have not yet finished with No. 4.