I interrupt the Senator to call on Senator John Ellis regarding a motion on which he has given notice under Standing Order 29.
Business of Seanad.
I have given you notice that I wish to raise under Standing Order 29 the recent questioning of people by gardaí under the Offences Against the State Act at Monaghan Garda station and also the position regarding the home searches carried out in the north west region in the past week.
I have given consideration to the matter raised by Senator Ellis and I do not consider it to be a matter contemplated by the Standing Order. I regret, therefore, that I have to rule it out of order.
A Chathaoirligh, on a point of order——
The Senator may not dispute with the Chair. If the Senator wants to discuss the matter with me, that I will do.
Can the Chair give me a commitment on behalf of the Government that none of the tactics employed by members of the Garda Siochána for the past three weeks——
I do not give commitments on behalf of the Government. That is for the Leaders of the House. I do not give any commitments on behalf of the Government or the Opposition.
Could the Acting Leader of the House let me know what the position is?
That is not in order. I will discuss with you why I ruled it out of order. Senator Robb, sorry for the interruption.
What time will it be discussed? I will submit this motion again before 4.30 in order that it be within the terms of the Standing Order because it is a matter of grave urgency as far as the people who have been arrested are concerned.
I have given my ruling and it cannot be discussed in the House.