Shane Ross (Independent)

I make a plea in regard to the Order Paper. Three items are to be taken without debate and I would not like this to set a precedent for the House. There is one item which is not contentious in the current atmosphere but it might be in other circumstances. That item concerns the decision to invite a speaker. As a norm the invitation of a speaker should be discussed in the House. It is not a matter which should be left to the Committee on Procedure and Privileges. In certain circumstances, someone who is less, or more, controversial might be offensive to the House. Others might say that if the President of the European Parliament, Mr. Cox, was to be invited, and I look forward to hearing him, that someone from the other side of the Nice treaty debate should also be invited. This and other matters of the sort should not be without debate in the future. I am worried that this might set a precedent which would be referred to as the basis and the procedure by which we invite people. We would then get some very partisan people invited to address the House.