David Norris (Independent)

I wish to raise a point of order. I was in my office listening to the debate but I have never heard anything like the way in which the Cathaoirleach intervened to tell a Member of this House it was not appropriate for him to ask a specific and clear question germane to the debate. I understand the advice given was that the Attorney General apparently has said we are not entitled in this House to information on whether legal advice has been sought. Whatever about the content, the Attorney General has no right to rule in this House. This is a sovereign House of Parliament. We make the rules and I ask the Leas-Chathaoirleach to refer this ruling and the advice given to the Committee on Procedure and Privileges because this is a further example of the way in which this House is treated with absolute contempt. It was a reasonable question, it was germane and relevant to the debate and it was ruled out of order by a series of interventions from the Chair. I rarely criticise the Chair but I am most definitely criticising what was done here tonight.