Vol. 118 No. 3
In normal circumstances I would regret having to name Senator Brendan Ryan but on this occasion I must say I do not like the hypocritical outburst he is making here this morning. He knows the situation. I move:
That Senator Brendan Ryan be suspended from the service of the Seanad.
There is nothing hypocritical in my attitude.
He is looking for cheap publicity and I am delighted to name him.
Ensuring that the position of the homeless is raised here has been hard earned and hard worked for. They would not be talked about at all if people did not care about them.
The question is: "That Senator Brendan Ryan be suspended from the service of the Seanad."
On a point of order. I am making a comment on the procedure and the discharge of the duties of the House. I would refer the Cathaoirleach to Standing Order 40 which states clearly and distinctly that after a motion or an amendment has been put to the House, there should be no further debate thereon. You, a Chathaoirligh, initiated a debate with three other speakers when the division bells were ringing. It was an incorrect procedure. It is unacceptable that when the House was off the record the time was used by some Members unscrupulously to make comments about a Member of the Independent group. I would like to see two things on the record of the House; an indication that what happened should not have happened, and I would ask that the use of particular words by the Leader of the House about Senator Ryan be seen as unacceptable and should be written in as such.
Item No. 1.
May I have a ruling on the question I raised? I raised a point of order in all seriousness and I would like a response to it. I think I am entitled to that, or at least to some communication from you as to the position.
I support part of what Senator O'Toole said because I was, to a certain extent, the victim, off the record, of one of your comments. I can unashamedly say——
Senator Ross——
This is a point of order on a Standing Order and I intend making it. I was a victim of one of your comments in that after the division bells rang I laughed very loudly about something, which I am quite entitled to do. I resent particularly you attempting to go on the record about the behaviour of Members privately after the division bells have rung.
For the record, I said three times we were off the record at that time. That is the position.
Once the division bells ring you keep quiet as well as everybody else. Off or on the record, that is what the Standing Order says.
Anything that is said off the record of this House is supposed to be off the record.
I am not trying to abuse the procedure of the House. I am asking you for the third time for a clear indication on what happened. I believe you spoke from the Chair.
I indicated to the House three times that it was off the record.
May I suggest that the matter be referred to the Committee on Procedure and Privileges for a ruling and that we proceed with the business of the day.
