It is proposed to take Numbers 3 and 4 on the Order Paper. Private Members Business will be taken at 9 p.m. to complete the discussion on the motion in progress.
Order of Business.
How much time is there left for it?
1½ hours.
That would carry it on until 10.30.
In view of the fact that the Taoiseach's reply to Question No. 15, a Cheann Comhairle, was inaudible in the House will you direct that it be tabled on tomorrow's Order Paper?
The Deputy can obtain a typed copy of the reply.
The Taoiseach will appreciate that if I had heard the reply, I might have asked a number of supplementary questions and got his answers.
The Deputy has the whole of the rest of the session to do that.
Will the Taoiseach tell us when the C.I.E. motion will be resumed?
Assuming that the Vote on Account finishes today, tomorrow.
Is that not assuming a lot?
It is about as informative as some of the other replies.
They did manage to slip some other things in between.
Will the Chair give a ruling on this question? It was made quite clear that the Taoiseach's reply was indistinct and could not be heard in the House. When that happened previously, the Taoiseach courteously repeated his reply. There is a principle involved in this and the onus is on the Chair to give a ruling on the matter.
I have already disposed of the matter.
We did not hear the Taoiseach's reply. It was indistinct. Will the Taoiseach accept that and——
I will accept that there was a conversation going on.
Will the Taoiseach not accept that we tried to listen to his reply, that there was so much noise that we could not hear it and that we are entitled to a repetition of it?
Copies of the reply are available to all Deputies and the question can be asked again, if necessary.
It will not be in order to table the same question again.
The same question may not be asked.
Why the Taoiseach mumbled, I do not know, because he has a reputation for speaking distinctly.
I do not say it is the Taoiseach's fault but why did he race through this reply?
Has the Chair any ruling to give?
I have answered the Deputy. I am calling Item No. 3.
I think this is a matter for the Committee on Procedure and Privileges.