On a point of order, is it possible to alter the order made by the House this morning?
Priority Questions.
It is not possible to alter the order.
Can the usual procedure be followed where the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development attends the House and gives an update on the current situation on the negotiations involving the sugar beet industry? I understand these are at a stalemate. Will the Minister advise if there is any point in making proposals for price increases this year and next year with a formula to be put in place thereafter that would govern the fixing of prices, taking account of margins on both sides? It might be helpful if the House could give its view to the Minister on how a resolution may be found to this problem. It might also be useful if the Government will tell the House whether—
The House made a decision to take Priority Questions at 3.30 p.m. and the Chair has no option in the matter. It is the decision of Members of the House. The decision was made yesterday.
I appreciate that. Will the Government propose that the Minister attend the House after Question Time to update Members on this matter? I believe I am in order in asking that and I believe I am also in order to ask the Government if, in the absence of any movement by the company, the Tánaiste and Minster for Enterprise, Trade and Employment will initiate an investigation into monopoly profits in the company with the view—
The Deputy is in total defiance of the democratic decision of the House.
I am asking if the Government will attend the House—
The Government cannot do so because the order of the House is made by the Members of the House. Under Standing Orders the Chair has no option but to take Priority Questions. I call Question No. 1.
I submit to your ruling and I ask that the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development—
The Deputy should resume his seat. He knows he is out of order and he should not be raising these matters.
If I may say—
The Deputy is well aware he is out of order and he is also well aware that yesterday the House decided to take Priority Questions at 3.30 p.m. and that the order cannot be changed at this stage. The Chair has no option or choice in the matter. I call Question No. 1. We must proceed. It is the duty of the Chair to ensure that the business as ordered by the House is proceeded with. That is why I am in the Chair.
If you will allow me, Sir—
I have allowed the Deputy some latitude. He knows he is out of order and he knows the reason.
Yes, Sir. I only want to say that I submit entirely to your ruling and I would like—
If the Deputy submits to the ruling he should resume his seat. The Chair has called Question No. 1. Will the Minister—
On a point of order—
There is no point of order while the Chair is on its feet. The Chair has called Question No. 1. We are now on Question No. 1.
On a point of order—
There is no point of order. You are not entitled to a point of order when there is disorder. There is disorder and the House will have to return to order.
I want to be helpful. Will the Minister indicate that he will answer Questions Nos. 9 and 33?
The Deputy is not helpful. The Chair has not given him the floor. I have said before that individual Deputies cannot usurp the decisions made by their fellow Members. That is what is being attempted here. A couple of Deputies are trying to usurp decisions of the House made by their fellow Members. I have called Question No. 1.
On a point of order, I tabled a Private Notice Question to the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development regarding—
That is not a point of order and it cannot be raised.
I raised it specifically-—
The Deputy knows he is out of order. If the Deputies do not resume their seats I will suspend the sitting.
I do not wish to contradict the Chair.
The Deputies are persisting. They know they are out of order.
My question is reasonable and should be allowed.
I call Question No. 1.