Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 30 Nov 1978

Vol. 310 No. 3

Supplementary Estimates, 1978: Leave to Introduce

Minister for Finance (Mr. Colley)

I move:

That leave be given by the Dáil to introduce the following Supplementary Estimates for the service of the year ending on the 31 day of December 1978, namely:—

Votes:—

2 (Houses of the Oireachtas),

6 (Office of the Minister for Finance),

12 (Office of the Attorney General),

14 (Miscellaneous Expenses),

19 (Civil Service Commission),

29 (Environment),

30 (Office of the Minister for Education),

38 (Forestry),

39 (Roinn na Gaeltachta),

40 (Agriculture),

43 (Industry, Commerce and Energy),

44 (Tourism and Transport),

49 (International Co-Operation),

50 (Social Welfare),

51 (Health).

Mr. Blaney

On a further point of order, while accepting that the Chair does not make the rules, may I ask further, for my enlightenment and the enlightenment of all the Members of the House and people outside, whether it is not a denial of the right of Deputy in this House not to be allowed to speak on a matter of such importance as the matter we were discussing earlier or even to ask questions?

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

The Deputy will have to raise that matter elsewhere. The Chair does not decide matters of that kind. Item No. 3 has been moved. The Deputy is interrupting the business of the House.

Mr. Blaney

On a further point of order, may I ask whether or not, since the obvious inference is that I as a Deputy have recourse to the Committee on Procedure and Privileges, since I am in no way represented on that committee, how other than through the Chair may I, in an orderly fashion, raise a matter of the utmost importance——

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

The Deputy has made his point. We must proceed with the business of the House.

Mr. Blaney

He has made his point but he has got no guidance from the Chair.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

The Chair is not in a position to guide any Deputy on a matter concerning Standing Orders. The Chair does not prepare Standing Orders.

Mr. Blaney

Then who does?

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

The Chair has no responsibility for Standing Orders. They are prepared and changed, or altered, as the case may be, elsewhere. The Minister for Finance has moved Item No. 3.

Mr. Blaney

To whom may I address myself if not to the Chair?

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

The Deputy has made his point. The Chair has given the Deputy a great deal of latitude.

Mr. Blaney

I appreciate the Chair's dilemma in the matter.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

The Chair has no dilemma. The Chair is working on Standing Orders in front of him.

Mr. Blaney

I have and I am appealing to the Chair for guidance in the matter so that I will not——

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

The Minister for Finance has moved Item No. 3.

Mr. Colley

It is hoped to circulate most of the 15 Supplementary Estimates before the weekend. The remainder will be circulated immediately after the weekend.

Question put and agreed to.