On a point of order——
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers.
It is rather unusual to take a point of order at the commencement of Questions, Deputy Bruton. Can it not wait?
On a point of order, in view of the fact that Question Time and the proceedings of the House started five minutes late, will the Government — and you — arrange for Question Time to be extended by the five minutes which have been lost as a result of the late arrival of the Government? In view of the fact that this is the second time in a week that the House has started late, could we have an assurance that it will not recur?
Chun an Taoiseach, ceist a haon——
On a point of order, I raised a question whether (a) additional time will be provided for the time lost as a result of the late arrival of the Government and (b) we will have an assurance that this will not become a pattern.
I have no objection, a Cheann Comhairle. I recall when the Deputy's party were in Government that we had frequent delays of much more than five minutes, in fact we had delays of days. On one occasion the Leader of Fine Gael tried to get the Ceann Comhairle not to recall the Dáil at all.
The Taoiseach did not want to resign when he did not have a majority in the House.
We are wasting valuable time.
The facts are all recorded.