Before the Order of Business I propose to deal with a notice of motion under Standing Order 30 from Deputy O'Dea. I call on Deputy O'Dea to state the matter of which he has given notice.
Request to move Adjournment of Dáil under Standing Order 30.
I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 30 to discuss a specific and important matter of public interest, namely, the lack of a credible explanation by the Government for its failure over a six week period to inform the Dáil and the public of the true, or most probable reason for the defect in the warrant presented to court in the Duncan extradition case and also the fact that the Government has attempted, unfairly, to place the entire blame for this matter on the Garda Síochána by not admitting that it was given satisfactory information prior to last week.
The matter, having been considered fully, is not considered to be one contemplated by the Standing Order and, therefore, leave cannot be granted to move the motion.
On a point of order——
I am sorry, this matter may not be debated now.
May I ask a simple question? Is there a precedent for invocation of Standing Order 30, or is it a parliamentary ornament that is rolled out for the benefit of visitors?
The Deputy never complained about it when he was on the Government side.
This matter was dealt with extensively last week by way of Private Notice Questions and statements. Furthermore there are written questions to the Minister for Justice today and oral questions for answer by the Taoiseach tomorrow on the matter.
On a point of order, I asked the Taoiseach to indicate when he first discussed the Duncan case with the Attorney General and he outlined——
I am proceeding to the Order of Business.
Either the Attorney General informed the Minister, in which case he did his duty, and the Minister misled the House or, alternatively——
Please desist, Deputy.
——the Attorney General did not inform the Minister and failed in his duty.
I call the Taoiseach on the Order of Business.
Why has the Taoiseach refused to answer this question?
Please, Deputy Woods, I have called the Taoiseach.
This is probably the most central question is this entire issue.
I ask the Deputy to please resume his seat.
Why will the Government not be accountable——
The Deputy may not proceed with this issue now. He is being grossly disorderly.
This issue relates to the order of the House.
I am proceeding to the Order of Business.
On a point of order, last week the Taoiseach gave an undertaking to the House that he would answer all questions on this issue and that no questions would be ignored by him. I put down a question to him asking when the Attorney General first informed him of the problems associated with the Duncan extradition case. The Taoiseach has refused to answer this question, it has been disallowed.
As the Deputy knows, this is not a matter for the Chair and is not therefore, a point of order.
This question is central to the issue.
This is not a keeping with the spirit of the commitment given by the Taoiseach in this House last week. Will the Taoiseach give a commitment that he will answer that question tomorrow?
I call the Taoiseach.
That question was also ruled out of order. The Taoiseach said he would answer these questions which are central to this incident.
I call the Taoiseach on the Order of Business.
Will he answer these questions?
(Interruptions.)
Let us proceed with the Order of Business.
May I raise a point of order?
If it is a point of order I will hear it.
I also want to know why my question about the Attorney General was disallowed. There seems to be an attempt to ring-fence the Attorney General and absolve him——
And the Taoiseach.
——from all blame. Why was my question which related specifically to the Attorney General disallowed?
There questions on this subject were disallowed.
I cannot help the Deputy with this matter now, and he knows that.
Why were these questions disallowed and why will the Taoiseach not answer them?
Ask the Ceann Comhairle.
These are fundamental questions but we cannot get answers to them in the House. That is the reality.
I call the Taoiseach.
Will the Taoiseach say——
Please, Deputy Martin, let us hear the Taoiseach.
These are fundamental questions.
So much for openness, transparency and accountability.