I gave notice this morning to the Ceann Comhairle and subsequently in the House that, at the end of Question Time today, I would raise the subject matter of yesterday's questions to the Minister for Foreign Affairs.
Business of Dáil.
The Ceann Comhairle did not give permission for the raising of that question. He gave permission for the raising of another question.
I appreciate that fully.
We cannot debate it then.
The important thing is that it cannot be raised until the whole thing is over. That is the trick. This morning we got at public expense the following document——
The Deputy knows we cannot debate this.
——from the Minister for Foreign Affairs speaking to Fianna Fáil election workers at the Hollywood House Hotel, Dublin, on Tuesday evening.
The Deputy may not pursue that.
This is the first time to my knowledge that such a document has ever been put out at public expense.
The Deputy is out of order.
This is corruption. On an election issue the Minister is putting out a political document at public expense. It is entirely wrong that I should not be allowed to raise it in this House since there is plenty of time.
The Deputy may not discuss a matter for which he has not got permission.
It is all right to tell me I can raise it when it is all over.
It must take its turn.
With respect, this House is not a deliberative Assembly if something cannot be discussed until it is over and done with. This is not reasonable.
We cannot discuss that.
There are still 12 minutes before the Adjournment. The Adjournment is at 5 o'clock. The Minister was not here yesterday.
The Deputy is being disorderly.
The Deputy knows that the Order this morning was that if questions concluded before 5 o'clock the House would adjourn. Questions have finished and the Adjournment debate is beginning and Deputy Hogan has permission to raise a matter on the Adjournment.
I understood that the Order was somewhat different.
No, it was not.
There was a general belief that Questions would continue until after 5 o'clock.
The Chair cannot deal with what has happened. It can only deal with the Order.
Apparently the Chair cannot deal with what has happened or what will happen. Apparently the Chair cannot sustain the right of Deputies to get the information to which they are entitled.
The Deputy is out of order.
I do not believe I am out of order at all but I will submit to the Chair as usual, since I am one of the most orderly Deputies.
I know that, and I hope the Deputy will do that now.
Not too quickly.
Then the Chair will have to ask the Deputy to do so.
I hope the Chair will agree that I have every right to protest about the document which came in the post this morning at public expense.
The Deputy has not got that right now.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs was speaking to Fianna Fáil election workers in the Hollywood House Hotel.
The Deputy will have to resume his seat.
On a point of order, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle, do you not agree that important as Deputy Hogan's Adjournment issue is, it will still be relevant on Tuesday week, whereas Deputy O'Donovan is being frustrated from raising an issue which will be terminated on next Wednesday?
This may not be raised either. We may not question what has been decided already as the order for today.
It is disgraceful.
It is outrageous. The House is not meeting next week so I may raise the matter the week after next. In other words, thank you for nothing.