Before I announce the Order of Business, I understand Deputy Cruise-O'Brien commented on the fact that I was absent when his question was called earlier today. I was engaged at an official function which I had hoped would be concluded before 3 p.m. but which unfortunately was not.
Order of Business.
No. With respect, all I did was that, when the Parliamentary Secretary rose to take the question, I indicated I should like to hear the answer from the Taoiseach himself. I made no other comment.
Unfortunately, the official function was not over at 3 p.m.
I quite understand.
It just shows how garbled reports from this House can be.
Perhaps I did not hear it sufficiently well. It is proposed to take business in the following order : Nos. 1, 16 (Votes Nos. 27 to 33 inclusive), 17 and 2.