Early this morning I asked your permission to raise the following question——
Business of Dáil.
The Deputy is not in order in reading out the question at this stage. I have conveyed my decision to the Deputy. I pointed out that the question does not conform with the requirements of Standing Order No. 30 and the matter cannot be debated here.
Would you enlighten me on Standing Order No. 30 as it relates to this question? This is a serious matter.
Standing Order No. 30 relates to matters of urgent public importance and I have ruled that the subject matter of the Deputy's question does not come under that.
I should like to——
It cannot be debated here.
May I point out respectfully that this issue is of urgent national importance——
It may be of national importance but it certainly is not urgent. The Deputy is well aware that there can be no discussion of it here now.
The Taoiseach made——
Deputies
Chair, Chair.
The Taoiseach made a very important speech down in Tralee recently——
The Deputy is not in order and I must ask him to be seated.
We are entitled to inquire about the official policy of the Government on the matter of the Six Counties. The matter was so important that the Taoiseach made a comment on it today outside this House.
And that is the official Government policy.
Tell the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries, Deputy Blaney, what it is. He has caused enough trouble in this country.
Surely Deputies are entitled to know what question was asked. I think it is quite improper——
The Deputy is wrong. It is not a matter for Deputies of the House to know what question was asked. It is only a matter for the Chair and the Chair has ruled that the question does not now arise.
The Chair was entirely wrong.
Are you saying, Sir, that national policy in relation to Northern Ireland is not a matter of public importance?
Under Standing Orders it is not a matter for a private notice question.
(Interruptions.)