Colm Finlay
Posted on 10 Dec 2010 12:09 am (Report this comment)

Sorry new to all this. What does speak through the chair mean? and why must they do it?

Gavan Reilly
Posted on 16 Dec 2010 8:38 am (Report this comment)

TDs and Senators, when participating in debates or generally speaking at all, are not supposed to address their arguments to the opposing side, but rather to direct them to whoever is chairing the discussion (usually the Ceann Comhairle in the Dail and the Cathaoirleach in the Seanad, though there are a few deputies). That way it stops members arguing with each other, and encourages debate to focus on the substantive points rather than becoming a personal head-to-head.