It is proposed to take Public Business as on the Order Paper, No. 3 — Votes Nos. 9 to 26 and Votes Nos. 41 to 27.
Order of Business.
I have placed a motion on the Order Paper dealing with the privileges of this House and the conduct of a Deputy in relation thereto. Would the Government state if and when they propose to provide time for the discussion of that motion?
I should like to point out that the case with which the motion is connected is the subject of an appeal. Consequently, it is still sub judice and, being sub judice, may not be discussed in this House until the matter has been decided in court.
In my submission, Sir, the matter envisaged by my motion has no direct relevance to the matters joined between the Attorney-General and the defendants in the case to which the Ceann Comhairle has referred and, inasmuch as the matter envisaged by this motion is not directly connected with the matters at trial, I submit that the fact that that cause is still sub judice should not debar this House from appointing a Committee to examine a matter relating to its own privileges.
It would be very difficult, indeed, for the public to draw any distinction between a discussion by any Committee of this House on a matter that is possibly being decided in the courts. It is my opinion, and I so rule, that the matter is for that purpose sub judice and, consequently, following the practice never departed from for over 20 years in this House, the matter may not be raised now.
May I take it then that when the matter has ceased, in your judgment, to be sub judice, you will convey the necessary information to me so that the application for time to discuss this motion may be renewed on the earliest possible occasion?
I think we will be both aware of that fact, when it has been decided. The Deputy will be informed.
And early opportunity will be made to discuss the motion?
That rests with the Government, not with the Chair.