I knew Fianna Fáil was a revolutionary party but I did not think the revolution would be this big.
Business of Dáil.
The order for today was decided yesterday.
On a point of order, I would like to formally express my—
That is not a point of order. The business of the House for today was decided yesterday.
I would like to draw attention to the fact that there is a democratic deficit in this country because we are not having the kind of response we should have from the Taoiseach. He should be in the House today.
That is not a point of order.
It is very relevant.
It is not a point of order. We are moving on to the Competition Bill. Deputy Durkan was in possession.
On a point of order in relation to electronic voting, there are only two buttons, Tá and Níl. It is very unfair to the Progressive Democrats as there is no sitting on the fence button.
That is not a point of order. I call Deputy Durkan.
On a point of order.
We will not have disorder in the House. Deputy Durkan on the Bill.
On the matter of competition, as this House—
It does not arise Deputy. We are on Second Stage of the Competition Bill, 2001.
As the House will not be sitting next week—
It does not arise Deputy. It should have been sorted out on the Order of Business yesterday.
Could the Leas-Cheann Comhairle convene a meeting of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges? This House will not be meeting for some time. I have received—
Order, Deputy. The Deputy is being disorderly. I will have to ask the Deputy to leave if he does not resume his seat.
—a letter from An Post—
The Deputy should resume his seat or he will have to leave the House.
As guardian of the rights of Deputies—
The Deputy should resume his seat. Deputy Durkan please.
An Post has confirmed to me that every letter leaving my office now bears a Fianna Fáil stamp. I want a meeting of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges to deal with this issue.
The Deputy should resume his seat immediately or leave the House.
On a point of order, can I ask the Government Chief Whip—
Will the Deputy be orderly and resume his seat? The Order of Business yesterday determined the order for today. I call Deputy Durkan on the Competition Bill.
We have just had a referendum—
I ask the Deputy to be orderly and resume his seat.
I am asking the House—
The Deputy should resume his seat. As leader of his party I am reluctant to ask him to leave but if he stays on his feet he must leave the House.
I have a responsibility to my—
If the Deputy stays on his feet he must leave the House.
—party and my—
The Deputy should resume his seat.
No, I will not.
Then the Deputy should leave the House.
Will the leaders of our Government come into the House at any stage today?
I am asking the Deputy to leave the House.
May I make a point?
I am dealing with Deputy Quinn.
May I make a point on the order today?
The order of the House was decided yesterday. The Deputy cannot make a point of order while the Chair is on his feet.
When may I make a point of order?
The Deputy can make a point of order when the Chair allows him to make it.
May I now make a point of order?
Yes, as long as it is a point of order.
The leader of the Labour Party wanted to make a point of order. On a historic day for this country—
That is not a point of order.
—the Chair did not even give him an opportunity to speak.
That was not a point of order. I heard him.
He was not given the opportunity to get past his first sentence before he was interrupted. Members of the House have rights and it is the Chair's responsibility—
Deputy Durkan on the Bill.
The Chair should listen to the point I am making. I address myself directly to him in his office as Leas-Cheann Comhairle. He has a responsibility to every Member of the House to ensure fair play. That means the Chair should at least listen to Members offering. The Chair did not do that today and I regret that.
Members in this House should obey the orders of the Chair.
Will the Chair please let the leader of the Labour Party make a simple point on the commencement of business today?
I will allow him if it is a point of order. If it is not and he persists as he did he will leave the House.
It is in relation to order. We have consistently sought that the House would be accountable to all of the elected Members.
That is correct.
Yes. I raised a question yesterday and there was an indication that the order for today could be varied. Will the Government Whip who is in the House provide for a statement from a senior Government Minister as to what the next step will be following the result of yesterday's referendum?
That does not arise today.
My point is that it should arise. The Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach, Deputy Brennan, is here. It would be appropriate—
The order for today has been decided.
And we objected to it. Is this House to be ruled by simple majority?
The Deputy cannot object to it today.
What role does the Opposition have in holding this Government to account?
The order for today was decided.
We are not sitting next week. The Government is engaged in an election campaign—
I ask the Deputy to be orderly. I am calling Deputy Durkan.
I am asking the Government to be accountable.
That does not arise today.
I would like Deputy Brennan to stand up and tell us when a Government Minister will come into the House and say what the Government is going to do.
The Deputy is leaving the Chair with no choice but to ask him to leave the House. Deputy Durkan on Second Stage of the Competition Bill.