David Norris (Independent)

I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach for his ruling but it makes a farce of the business of the House and the Standing Orders. It is ludicrous that a matter can be considered a national emergency in the other House but not in this House. The idea that careful consideration is being given to the matter is nonsense. A similar situation arose previously when I raised a matter and was informed that it was not a matter of national importance. Thirty minutes later, the then Taoiseach, Charles Haughey, stated in the other House that it was a matter of national importance. Could an inquiry be held into the space-time continuum as it affects Seanad Éireann and Dáil Éireann because they appear to operate on two different planets?