I was asked at a certain stage of the proceedings to-day to reprove a Deputy for laughing when another Deputy rose in his place to address the Dáil. I would always protect a Deputy who is speaking or protect a Deputy under any circumstances, but I do not think that what one would call matters of taste, about which there might be differences of opinion, could be the subject of a ruling from the Chair, and I do not think that the question of a Deputy's smile or of a Deputy's laugh could be raised as a point of order.
DAIL IN COMMITTEE. - THE DAIL RESUMES.
Bill reported. Fourth stage ordered for May 9th.
I would just like to say that at that particular time I was not laughing at the Deputy, so that he was over-sensitive.