May I ask if the Chair has had any second thoughts on its ruling that the matter of the Government's announcement in regard to internments could not be discussed? I put that question in view of the answer given to Question No. 2 today by the Taoiseach in which, if you recall, for the first time evidence was given of our actual letter to the Secretary-General of the Council of Europe, and the Government's statement in that letter that they view with deep gravity the situation which has arisen with, according to reliable information in their possession, a special emphasis on the danger of kidnapping?
Business of Dáil.
The Deputy will appreciate that this is not in order at this stage?
The Chair has ruled in accordance with Standing Order No. 29 that the matter is not an issue of definite urgent public importance. In view of the Government's obvious attitude to the problem does the Chair now think——
Once the Chair has ruled on a matter it is no longer open. The Deputy is aware that the Chair's ruling may not be questioned.
Had the Chair in its possession a copy of the actual letter by the Government to the Secretary-General of the Council of Europe when the Chair made its decision on Standing Order No. 29?
The Chair was ruling on the Standing Orders which it had before it.
Was the Chair at that time in possession of information that the Government viewed with deep gravity the situation which had arisen? Is the Chair further aware that Article 15 provides that in time of war or other public emergency threatening the life of the nation any of the contracting parties may derogate from any of the articles? It seems ludicrous that the Chair could say it was ruling on Standing Orders on a definite matter of urgent public importance.
The Chair must now tell the Deputy that the ruling of the Chair on the occasion may not be questioned.
May I ask whether during the afternoon the Chair has considered the situation afresh in view of the new information in the possession of the House after the Taoiseach's reply to Question No, 2 today?
The Chair is not so aware.
In view of the answer which I have quoted staling that the Government actually view the situation with deep gravity, and since article 15 talks about time of war or other public emergency threatening the life of the nation, I want to ask the Chair how can the Chair rule in such a situation under Standing Order No. 29 that it is not a matter of definite urgent public importance, and refuse the House the right to debate it?
What the Chair is saying at the moment is that the Chair made its decision on the information available to it and that decision may not be questioned.
I am just asking was the Chair at that time in possession of this information which logically does not allow the Chair, as I see it, to adhere to its previous decision. Ordinary commonsense would seem to dictate that this is a matter of urgent public importance.
The Chair is now saying to the Deputy that the House is passing on to the business that was ordered to be put before the House at the conclusion of Question Time.
In view of the information made available this afternoon does the Chair think there is a case for the Chair to reconsider its attitude?
All the Chair can say at the moment is that the business that was ordered is now being delayed, and the Chair is moving on to the business which was ordered to be taken at the conclusion of Question Time.
Could the Chair give any undertaking to the House that the position would be reviewed?
The Chair can give no such undertaking.
Has the Chair any comment to make on the information made available to us on Question No. 2?
The Chair does not have to comment to Deputy O'Leary.
The Chair has pointed out that these rulings may not be questioned. I must inform the Deputy that it would be disorderly to continue to question the rulings of the Chair. The Transport Bill. Deputy Coogan reported progress.