As the Ceann Comhairle will be aware, he suspended Deputy Mac Lochlainn yesterday.
Business of Dáil
The Dáil suspended him, not me.
He was quite rightly allowed to vote earlier. I understand he was subsequently denied entry to the Chamber to vote. He has a constitutional entitlement to vote and a mandate to vote. I ask the Ceann Comhairle to look into this matter.
The only thing I can say is that for as long as I have been here, and long before me, if a Member is suspended he or she is suspended from the House and he or she is not entitled to be in the Chamber. Whether it is a constitutional right is not a matter that I can judge. It is a matter for the courts.
I understand that. I have only been here a short period and there are many traditions in this Chamber which I think are archaic, anti-democratic and stifle proper and full debate. I know the Ceann Comhairle is only here to interpret and implement the rules but we will take legal advice on this matter.
Sitting suspended at 2.50 p.m. and resumed at 3 p.m.