It is proposed to take Nos. 23, 24, 6 and 25.
Order of Business.
On the Order of Business, perhaps, Sir, you would give me some guidance on this? In view of the worsening situation in the north I wonder could the Ceann Comhairle explain why he did not regard my question to the Taoiseach as being urgent?
That question is totally out of order. Only questions relating to the business before the House, on the Order of Business, may be raised after Question Time.
Can the Chair tell me how I can challenge this?
The Deputy may not challenge it in the House. He can see me and I can discuss the matter with him. I would point out that the Deputy was informed why the question would not be agreed to by the Chair. The Chair felt that it had not the degree of urgency necessary for a question of this type.
Do I take it from the Ceann Comhairle that the reason is given why it was not of urgent importance?
The Chair explained to the Deputy that it may be put down as an ordinary question and I understood that the Deputy was satisfied with that explanation. It is not in order to raise it in the House and the Deputy will not be allowed to do so. It is against the procedure of the House.
Can the Ceann Comhairle tell us what is urgent?
I fully agreed with the Ceann Comhairle when he ruled last week that the dumping of certain matter 600 miles off the north-west coast of Ireland was an urgent and serious matter. I submit that this is more than urgent.
According to Standing Orders agreed to by this House it is not of urgency and may be put down as an ordinary question. I understand that the question has been put down for reply on Thursday. I cannot understand why the Deputy should raise it now.
Does the Ceann Comhairle say that the situation in the north, in view of the happenings over the last week——
We are not discussing the situation in the north. We are discussing Standing Orders.
In view of comment yesterday on the Taoiseach's statement in the Garden of Remembrance——
The Deputy may not raise this matter. I have explained to the Deputy that he may put it down, as he has already, as an ordinary question on Thursday.
God help Ireland.
On a point of explanation, could the Chair tell me how he regards the situation in the north, which is changing hour by hour, which is escalating apparently hour by hour, as not being of an urgent nature in this Parliament?
Stand idly by.
This is a gross abuse of the procedure of this House.
It is not. We are all concerned about procedure.
(Interruptions.)
I wonder does the Chair realise the potential danger to this democratic assembly of his attitude towards urgent questions?
Hear, hear.
There is also the danger of Deputies abusing the procedure of the House. I look on that as a danger to Parliament.
I am asking the reason why.
The matter cannot be argued here.
How can the Chair say we are abusing the privilege of the House when we are asking for urgent matters to be discussed now?
Hear, hear.
The Deputy should read Standing Orders.
They do not say anything about Northern Ireland. It is your discretion.
It has nothing to do with Standing Orders. It is your discretion—in inverted commas.
The Deputy agreed that this question should go down on Thursday. I cannot understand why he should raise it now.
I knew what your answer was but I thought I should air my views in this House.
The Deputy wants to have it both ways.
I wish the Chair would define "urgency".