I move:
That a sum not exceeding £655,000 be granted to defray the charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of December, 1985, for the salaries and expenses of the Office of the Ombudsman.
Estimates, 1985. - Vote 21: Office of the Ombudsman.
Is the Estimate agreed?
Deputy Haughey rose.
There cannot be a speech.
We are prepared to agree to the Estimate but I want to make it clear at this stage that it is only on condition that we have an opportunity of discussing it.
The position was made clear on the Order of Business.
I also want to make it clear, lest anybody gets the impression that we approve of this expenditure of £655,000——
The Deputy cannot make a speech. That is not fair.
I beg the Chair's pardon.
The Deputy should not look so amazed because he has just agreed to this item being dealt with without debate.
I want to make it clear that we are agreeing to that on condition——
The Deputy must agree to it or disagree with it.
The Chair may wish that I was not in the House but, unfortunately for the Chair, I am here by the democratic wish of the people and as long as I am here I am going to talk when I feel it is in order to talk. Please curb your impatience, a Cheann Comhairle.
Will the Deputy resume his seat for a moment? The House agreed a matter of moments ago to the Order of Business which stated that:
by agreement the question necessary to bring proceedings on Vote 21 to a conclusion shall be put forthwith and decided without debate provided that if a division is challenged on the Estimate the taking of such division shall be postponed until 8.30 p.m. tomorrow.
Vote 21 may be debated in conjunction with the remaining Estimates in the Public Service.
That is what the Deputy agreed to.
I want to make it clear that in agreeing to that procedure, and in agreeing to accept this Estimate we are not to be taken as agreeing to the Estimate itself. We do not subscribe for one moment to the provision of this extra £650,000 for the Ombudsman. That is all I wish to say and I am perfectly entitled to say it.
The Deputy is not. That is as much a speech as if the Deputy had spoken for an hour and the Deputy knows that well. Is Vote 21 agreed?
I suggest you take a little grip of yourself.
I have a grip of myself. If I was to pursue that to its logical conclusion I would call on the Minister to reply but I am not calling on him.
I hope the humour you are in has nothing to do with recent events.
The Deputy should behave himself. I am sorry to have to say that. The Deputy has cast a slur on the Chair.
Deputy Boland rose.
The Minister cannot reply. Deputies have just made an order and they will obey it. Is Vote 21 agreed?
As long as you are bad tempered evenly, I am happy.
I spend my time trying to get you out of trouble.
Vote put and agreed to.