: Could I ask the Taoiseach what possible justification there is for ordering No. 4 at this stage?
Business of Dáil .
: I do not have to justify it. The Minister of State will move the motion and the Deputy can ask any questions he wishes.
: I am calling No. 4 now. The Deputy will have an opportunity of discussing this in the ordinary way.
: I accept that it will come up on the actual motion but surely a Deputy is entitled to ask a question and expect an answer from the Taoiseach on the ordering of business which includes a very controversial issue. These are two separate matters——
: The Order of Business has been approved and the Chair has called the first item. The second item is that which the Deputy is discussing and the explanations for the moving of it will be given by the Minister of State.
: The normal procedure which has been the practice, at least in my time here, is that the Chair repeats the Order of Business——
: Which he did and then called the next item.
: There was a formal report of a Committee of the House. If the Taoiseach is anxious to avoid answering the question because he cannot possibly justify before the House putting No. 4 on the Order Paper, let his refusal to answer the question speak for itself.
: I am not refusing. The Minister of State will move the motion and will give the reasons for moving it. I think that is perfectly clear.
: The Taoiseach orders the business of the House on behalf of the Government. He has a majority of 20 and can steamroll this through the House——
: I am calling No. 4.
: ——and surely the Taoiseach owes it not only to the House but to the country to justify the guillotine motion.
: It will be justified by the Minister moving it in a moment.
: Surely the Taoiseach, as head of the Government——
: The Deputy would not get the headlines if he waited until then.
: I assure the Minister that I would not wish to compete with the type of headlines he is setting.
(Interruptions.)
: Order, please: Minister of State to move No. 4.