Rory Kiely (Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I have received notice from Senator Bannon that, on the motion for the Adjournment of the House today, he proposes to raise the following matter:

The need for the Minister for Education and Science to outline the reason for the decision to close Newtownforbes secondary school on the outskirts of Longford town.

I have also received notice from Senator Mansergh of the following matter:

The need for the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to indicate the steps she will take to find replacement jobs following the job losses at the Pall Corporation factory in Tipperary town.

I have also received notice from Senator Henry of the following matter:

The need for the Minister for Arts, Sports and Tourism to encourage the airline and hotel industries to adopt a more flexible approach to cancellation charges in view of the crisis in the tourism business.

I have also received notice from Senator Feighan of the folowing matter:

The need for the Minister for Agriculture and Food to intervene with Teagasc to ensure the decisions it has taken regarding office closures will be reversed.

I regard the matters raised by Senators Bannon, Mansergh and Henry as suitable for discussion on the Adjournment and they will be taken at the conclusion of business. I regret that I have had to rule out of order the matter raised by Senator Feighan as the Minister has no official responsibility in the matter.

Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

May I raise an issue of procedure?

Rory Kiely (Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

No. We are proceeding to the Order of Business.

Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

On a point of order—

Rory Kiely (Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

There can be no points of order. Can we, please, proceed to the Order of Business?

Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I wish to raise a point of order.

David Norris (Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Cathaoirleach is required by Standing Orders to take—

Rory Kiely (Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

We have not yet started business. I ask the Senator to resume his seat. I call the Leader of the House.

Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

With respect, a point of order must be taken by the Chair.

Rory Kiely (Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

We have not yet started business. How can the Senator have a point of order before business has started?

Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Business has started—

Rory Kiely (Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Business begins with the Order of Business. I ask the Senator to resume his seat. I call the Leader of the House.

Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

On a point of order—

Rory Kiely (Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

No. I have called the Leader of the House.

Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I will remain standing until my point of order is heard. We can do this the hard way or the straightforward way.

Rory Kiely (Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

What is the Senator's point of order?

Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

You are aware that Senators O'Toole and Ryan and I wrote to you last Friday—

Rory Kiely (Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

That is not a point of order.

Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I am asking you to reconsider holding a meeting of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges—

Rory Kiely (Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

That is not a point of order. The Senator should resume his seat.

Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

—as the procedure proposed by the Government for the House this week is unacceptable.

Rory Kiely (Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I call the Leader of the House on the Order of Business.

Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

On a point of order, Standing Order 84(1)(a)—

Rory Kiely (Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I have called the Leader of the House on the Order of Business.

Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

—refers to the Committee on Procedure and Privileges and its right to bring forward amendments to Standing Orders.

Rory Kiely (Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Will the Senator please resume his seat?

Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

If Report Stage, as proposed by the Government side, is taken on Thursday—

Rory Kiely (Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Senator must resume his seat.

Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

—it will be against the Standing Orders of this House.

Rory Kiely (Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Will the Senator please resume his seat?

Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Chair must make a ruling on this matter. I ask him to do so.

Rory Kiely (Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I have called the Leader of the House on the Order of Business

Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I ask you to make a ruling on this matter.

Rory Kiely (Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I have ruled on it.

Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I am asking you to reconsider the decision and immediately hold a meeting of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges to bring forward an amendment to Standing Orders to allow the unprecedented Government proposals—

Rory Kiely (Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

No. The Senator is completely out of order.

Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I am not. I am in order.

Rory Kiely (Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Senator is not.

Martin Mansergh (Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Senator should accept the Chair's ruling.

Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Committee on Procedure and Privileges protects all Members of this House, not just one side.

Rory Kiely (Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Senator is not in order. I call the Leader of the House.

Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

This is a grotesque infringement of Members' rights.

Rory Kiely (Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Will the Senator please resume his seat? I have called the Leader of the House on the Order of Business.

Martin Mansergh (Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Senator should have respect for the Chair.

Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I ask the Cathaoirleach to reconsider on this matter. This is an unprecedented parliamentary move by the Government.

Rory Kiely (Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I have called the Leader of the House on the Order of Business.

Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Will you give an assurance—

Rory Kiely (Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I have ruled on it.

Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

—that there will be an amendment to Standing Orders to allow this matter to come before the House on Thursday? I ask for clarity on the matter. All Members of the House have rights.