I want to get the leave of the Dáil to suspend the Standing Orders to-day for the purpose of discussing a very serious question of national importance, and that is the treatment that ex-service men and officers of the National Army are receiving at the hands of the Government. It is scarcely necessary for me to add——
PRIVATE NOTICE QUESTIONS. - EX-OFFICERS AND MEN OF NATIONAL ARMY.
The Deputy cannot add anything. I have received no notice of this matter, and I cannot decide the matter is one of urgency, because the Deputy could have given notice in the ordinary way. A question of urgency is one in which the matter is so urgent that notice could not be given of it.
I could not give notice. I did not know the question was really so serious until last night. There are over forty thousand men affected, and I think the Dáil could not have a better time in which to discuss this matter than to-day. It is really necessary that those men should get some consideration.
The Deputy cannot make a speech on this matter.
Is it not open to the Deputy to raise the matter on the adjournment?
Yes.
I wanted to raise this matter so as to give every Deputy an opportunity of discussing it and trying to do something for those who by their sacrifices enabled us to come here.
The Deputy cannot make any speech now.