May I claim the indulgence of the House to make a personal explanation? When the Public Services (Temporary Economies) Bill was before the House last Thursday a point was raised on which the Cathaoirleach gave a ruling, and immediately afterwards I raised another point. It seems clear from the official report that the Cathaoirleach gave a ruling on the first point which also ruled the second; as it might appear from the report that I challenged the ruling of the Chair, I wish to say that, however inadvertently I may have done so, and the report would seem rather to justify that I had done so, I wish now to express my regret, and to say that I had no intention whatever of challenging the ruling of the Chair.
Personal Explanation.
Cathaoirleach
I thank Senator Dowdall for his kind expression of regret. He has always been most courteous to the Chair and been a very old friend of mine. It would, therefore, be a matter of very deep regret to me if he were to say anything that would injure me in my character as Chairman or gainsay my ruling in any matter. I thank him very much for what he has said.