Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Before moving to Leaders Questions, I wish to make a personal explanation under Standing Order 44. I refer to my decision last week that the motion to set up a commission of investigation should be taken without debate. This decision was taken by me after consulting with officials and the parliamentary legal service. Unfortunately, I was absent on official business in Prague when the motion was taken in the House and I was, therefore, unable to give a personal explanation for my decision.

I wish to assure the House that at no time did I come under any pressure from anybody in arriving at my decision. I fully respect that those who took the opposite view to mine were perfectly entitled to do so. I also accept that the wording of Standing Order 57 could be interpreted in different ways and, for that reason, I intend to ask my colleagues on the Committee on Procedure and Privileges to meet with me to examine the possibility of making changes to ensure greater clarity in the wording of the order.

Finally, I refer to the radio interview on Friday last, in the final part of which I was asked if I felt the Opposition was "out to undermine" me. In the heat of the moment I replied: "Of course they are." However, on reflection, I accept that this is not the case and I am happy to withdraw the comments I made on the programme.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I appreciate the statement just issued by the Ceann Comhairle. Also, in the context of the discussions we had, I appreciate the sincerity and honour behind it and fully accept that the Ceann Comhairle has withdrawn the remarks which were said in the heat of the moment. I also welcome the fact that the implications of the ruling, which a number of people regard as profound, will now be debated in the proper forum at which all Members can make a submission. I thank the Ceann Comhairle for the contribution he has just made.

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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I also welcome the Ceann Comhairle's statement, particularly the acknowledgement that his remarks on the radio were inappropriate. I want to deal with other issues, but I will do that later. Now that the Ceann Comhairle has, in a genuine way, withdrawn his remarks, may I ask that those Ministers who defended the Ceann Comhairle's remarks also withdraw their remarks.