In accordance with an order of the House I am resuming item No. 8 and in accordance with the order I am calling Deputy Brian Lenihan. I am bound by an order of the House.
Business of Dáil.
On a point of order——
I am calling on Deputy Lenihan. I am bound by an order of the House.
On a point of order, I am not asking for a supplementary question.
What is the point of order?
I sought to raise a matter——
I am resuming on item No. 8 in accordance with an order of the House.
On a point of order——
I am not hearing a point of order at this stage. In accordance with an order of the House I am calling on Deputy Lenihan.
The Chair must hear me on a point of order. I have a right to raise a point of order. It will not take 30 seconds.
The Deputy wants to question a ruling I made and that is not a point of order.
Is the Chair saying I cannot make a request?
Not on the lines the Deputy is proceeding. The Deputy is knowingly obstructing——
Can I not even seek to raise a matter on the Adjournment? Is that what the Chair is telling me?
An order was made in this House this morning. It was accepted unanimously and without question.
I am trying to exercise my right to ask for permission to raise a matter on the Adjournment. Is the Chair saying I cannot do that?
It is past the time for that now.
When did it become past the time? I sought to establish one fact that is of public importance and that is: are Government Departments paying their bills to Bord Telecom since 1 January 1984 or are they not?
The Deputy is obstructing the business of the House and I shall have to adjourn the House.
All I am asking is permission to raise the matter on the Adjournment this evening. Surely that cannot be ruled out of order?
I have told the Deputy he is too late. I am calling Deputy Lenihan.
The Government have not been paying their bills to Bord Telecom since 1 January 1984. This is causing public disquiet but the Chair is ruling out my request to raise the matter on the Adjournment. It is no wonder the Government are entering the black economy. It is no wonder they are increasing telephone charges. Now I know why I will not be allowed to raise the matter on the Adjournment.
The Deputy will please withdraw that remark.
I simply asked to raise the matter on the Adjournment. Will the Chair tell me why I will not be allowed to do this? He can rule on this matter in his office between now and 5 p.m. and I will await that ruling.
The Deputy, by implication, has made a charge that the Chair is not impartial.
Surely it is reasonable to ask to raise a matter on the Adjournment?
The Deputy will withdraw the remark he made.
I withdraw any remark that the Chair takes as a personal indictment of the Chair but I must lodge my protest. I sought to raise a matter on the Adjournment and the Chair would not even consider my request.
Are the Government not paying their Bills?
Not since 1 January 1984 and I am not even allowed to raise the matter in the House. They are also asking Bord Telecom to pay back £50 million.
I have called Deputy Lenihan to speak on the next item.