Before commencing with the Order of Business today, may I say in view of what has occurred on the Order of Business in recent days, in that some Deputies seem to be under the impression that the Order of Business is a form of instant Question Time, I feel it would be an opportune time to restate the long-standing rulings of the Chair in regard to the appropriate questions that may be raised on the Order of Business.
The Order of Business is governed by Standing Order 25 and established practice. The practice of raising questions on the Order of Business has traditionally been allowed over the years subject to criteria laid down in rulings of the Chair, the standard one as such was given by my predecessor on 29 January 1981 at columns 541-543, Volume 326, of the Official Report; the principal points of which are that the Chair has permitted questions to be asked concerning: (i) business of the day; (ii) the taking of other business on the Order Paper; (iii) the taking of business which has been promised and which therefore can be anticipated; (iv) arrangements for sittings and (v) when Bills or other documents needed in the House will be circulated.
This practice has evolved in that "promised legislation" has been greatly expanded upon to constitute business promised under heading (iii), namely, the taking of business which has been promised and which therefore can be anticipated. However, promised legislation must be promised in the House in accordance with the ruling of 20 July 1989 at column 746, Volume 391, and should relate to the current Dáil.
"Bills or other documents" refers to those items on the Order Paper and not otherwise. That is a ruling made on 28 April 1982, column 1643, Volume 333, of the Official Report.
My predecessors have ruled that to raise other matters is disorderly and in that regard I should say a Deputy requesting the Government to make a statement on a matter does not put it in order on the Order of Business.
As I indicated to the House last Tuesday, it is a matter for the Dáil itself — through the Committee on Procedure and Privileges — as to whether procedures should be changed, or whether the raising of topical matters can be accommodated under a more appropriate new procedure to be devised under Dáil reform. Needless to mention, whatever changes the House recommends, I, as your Ceann Comhairle, will faithfully implement.
I also have to say that the Chair is placed in a very disadvantageous and, indeed, inequitable position by being expected by Members on the one hand to implement Standing Orders as they are, yet on the other hand being ignored or even criticised when he attempts to do so.
Until procedures change, I earnestly appeal to the House to co-operate with the Chair and ensure the orderly transaction of business in this House, in accordance with the present procedures which, admittedly, have been in operation for a long time and perhaps should now be reviewed.
I will arrange to have my statement here today circulated to every Member of the House.