Derek McDowell (Labour)

Before the Senator speaks, I want to protest at the way in which the Labour group is being so shoddily treated here today. As the Acting Chairman knows, we have an equality of numbers with the Independent group, which is not represented. I think only two of its Members have been in the House all day. The Independents are not here to take up the slot which was improperly allocated to them. Now, to my astonishment, I find that, even given the Acting Chairman's fair-minded approach to things, he has chosen to use his discretion – and it is a matter of discretion – to allocate the Independent slot to Fine Gael. In the circumstances, we cannot allow this to pass without protest.