Bernard Allen
Question:13 Mr. Allen asked the Taoiseach if he has any proposals to visit Libya before June 1990 in his capacity as President of the EC; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - EC Presidency Visit.
I have no such plans.
(Limerick East): On a point of order, before the Taoiseach leaves the House, Question No. 5 was put down in my name for tomorrow. I was 'phoned yesterday by an official of the Taoiseach's Department who asked me to bring it forward to today to facilitate the Taoiseach. I did not want to mix a local issue with an international issue but I facilitated the Taoiseach. However, the Taoiseach came into the House then and made no reference to my question——
The Deputy had ample opportunity to deal with that matter. We disposed of that question——
(Limerick East): I am looking for your protection.
——and the Deputy's view was heard.
(Limerick East): I am looking for your protection.
This is disorderly.
(Limerick East): On a point of order——
It is disorderly. It is not a point of order.
(Limerick East): It is.
The Deputy's question was on the Order Paper. It was disposed of and the Deputy was permitted to ask some supplementaries. That is as much as we can do at Question Time.
(Limerick East): On a point of order, it is part of your responsibility——
The Deputy will not lecture the Chair.
(Limerick East): I was grossly misled by the Taoiseach's Department and then abused by the Taoiseach in the House.
A Deputy
Hear, hear.
(Limerick East): My question was not answered in the reply. I was asked specifically——
I can only say, Deputy, that the question came before the House and it was answered and the Deputy had some supplementaries.
(Limerick East): I was asked specifically by the Taoiseach's Department——
We may not argue about it now, Deputy Noonan.
(Limerick East):——to facilitate the Taoiseach by bringing forward the question and I was told the Taoiseach would deal with it in his reply.
Question No. 14 to the Minister for Education.
(Limerick East): I want to give the Chair notice that I intend to raise this at the Committee on Procedure and Privileges through our representative.
That is a matter for the Deputy and his party. That is the Deputy's privilege.
(Limerick East): I would have hoped, a Cheann Comhairle, that the Chair would have protected my interests without my having to go to the Committee on Procedure and Privileges.
The Chair protected the Deputy's interests today and that is quite evident to this House and to this nation.
(Limerick East): No, Sir, it is not.
Question No. 14. Questions nominated for priority have only 15 minutes as provided in Standing Orders. I seek the co-operation of Members concerned to dispose of the five priority questions before us.