It is proposed to take business in the following order: Nos. 1, 4 to 18, inclusive, and 21. Private Members' Business 7 p.m. to 8.30 p.m., No. 39 (resumed).
Order of Business.
On the Order of Business, when is it intended to introduce legislation to deal with the Commissioner of the Garda?
As soon as possible. I cannot say exactly, whether in days or weeks, but certainly shortly.
Will the Taoiseach say whether or not any cases which have been through the courts or any sentences which may have been passed during the period——
That hardly arises now.
——during the period when the position of the Commissioner was——
The Deputy cannot discuss that now.
I am not going to discuss it. I just want to clarify whether or not people have been through the courts, sentenced——
The Deputy is aware that it is not in order to raise it now.
Surely it is a legitimate question.
The Deputy may inquire about legislation and when it arises he can ask all those questions.
The Deputy is entitled to inquire about the purpose of legislation.
If people had been prosecuted and sentenced outside the law, surely we are entitled to know whether that is the position.
The Chair has frequently pointed out that we cannot have discussions on these things on the Order of Business.
If, due to the incompetence of the Government, we do not even know how to sack the Commissioner and people have been wrongfully sentenced in the courts, it is a matter of urgent concern to this House and the people. Will the Taoiseach clarify the position?
When the legislation is introduced it will be clarified. I have nothing to add at this stage.
Is the Taoiseach not in a position to clarify it now? Is it possible that where people have been through the courts——
Order, please.
If I were in that position——
——and have been sentenced, they could in fact be wrongfully imprisoned now?
If I were in that position I would not answer the question because the Deputy is obviously out of order. The Ceann Comhairle has so ruled, and I will not follow the Deputy in this disorderly line.
Is the Taoiseach more concerned with the niceties of procedures than about the position of people who may have been wrongfully sentenced in the court?
(Interruptions.)
The Government were so much out of order they do not even know how to fire somebody.
Deputy Harte.
Surely the Taoiseach should adopt a more responsible and sensible attitude towards our citizens.
On the Order of Business, now that the former Commissioner of the Garda has resigned will the Taoiseach indicate the position now? Do we have a Commissioner?
I have ruled any discussion on that out of order.
Like Deputy Cluskey——
I have ruled out any further discussion on this.
Like Deputy Cluskey, I consider this a matter of great importance.
Item No. 1.
Why do the Government hide behind the Chair?
The Chair is not concerned about who is hiding or not.
Can we not have an answer?
The Chair is concerned with order. It is not in order to raise this matter here and now.
On a point of order, in view of the gravity of the matter and in view of the fact that at the moment people may be illegally held in prison due to the incompetence of the Government, I seek the permission of the Chair to raise this on Adjournment.
I will communicate with the Deputy during the day.