Rory Kiely (Fianna Fail)

I will explain the position. As Senator McDowell may be aware, under Standing Order 32, the Chair has sole discretion in calling a Senator to speak. His choice of speaker is influenced by the numerical strength of the relevant Senator's group. The Independent group and Labour group each has five Members. In the absence of any direction in Standing Orders, I called Senator O'Toole to speak on the basis of the seniority of the Independent group which has been in existence since 1987. That is my ruling.