On a point of order, in regard to the matter just mentioned, last Friday 36 jobs were lost in Ballinrobe. I contacted the Ceann Comhairle's office in order to raise this on the Adjournment this evening.
Order of Business.
We cannot have a discussion on the issue.
I want the Chair's advice.
My advice to Deputy Ring is to call to the office of the Ceann Comhairle and discuss the matter there.
I have a right to get some information in this House.
The Deputy certainly has a right to get information but not in the manner in which he is approaching it now. The way to get information is to call to the Ceann Comhairle's office.
Why does the Chair not listen to his question?
I put down—
The Deputy is not entitled to raise the matter here. He should resume his seat while the Chair is on his feet.
I will, but I intend to get up again.
I would not advise the Deputy to go down that road.
On a point of order, does the Chair have discretion to require a Member to share time on an Adjournment Debate, or is that not a matter that is properly within the province of the Deputy himself?
That is a matter for the Ceann Comhairle and if Deputies Ring or Bruton have a difficulty with it—
Is it not the case that under Standing Orders the Chair does not have that discretion, that it is a matter for the Deputy?
The traditional way of dealing with such matters is to call to the office of the Ceann Comhairle.
Standing Orders are a public matter governing the House in its public business. I am asking whether it is not the case that the Ceann Comhairle was acting ultra vires in deciding to require a Deputy to share time on an Adjournment motion, given that that is a matter for Deputies themselves and not for the Chair. The Chair has rights here, but so have Deputies.
The Deputy is correct in saying that Deputies have rights but if Deputies have a difficulty with a particular issue, there is a precedent that they call to the office of the Ceann Comhairle, particularly on matters appertaining to the Adjournment. It is a matter for the Ceann Comhairle.
I did everything above board.
The Deputy should resume his seat.
You are giving the Government seven and a half minutes and the Opposition two minutes. You are trying to muzzle me and it is not fair.
Deputy Ring, I ask you to withdraw the remark that I am here to muzzle you.
No, I will not.
Then leave the House.
The Deputy is being muzzled. It is unfair.
Deputy Ring will not leave the House so I have no choice but to send for the Ceann Comhairle. The House stands suspended for five minutes.
Sitting suspended at 5 p.m. and resumed at 5.05 p.m.