Today, Sir, you refused to allow me to ask a Private Notice Question. I am sure the Chair would not mind if I make a statement outside the House.
Business of Dáil.
The Chair would have no control — it all depends. As long as it does not involve the Chair in a derogatory manner.
It is a reflection on the House.
Deputy Gerry Collins asked for permission to raise a question on a court case yesterday in Northern Ireland. The normal way to put questions to Ministers is on four-day notice. An exception is made whereby questions may be asked on private notice of shorter than four days. The Chair has a discretion. Certain criteria are set down and one condition is that the matter is of great urgent importance. Inherent in that is that it cannot wait, that something would go wrong if the normal procedure were followed. The Chair must be careful to see that the regulations are complied with. Otherwise the procedure would get out of hand and there would be more questions on private notice than on normal notice. The Chair considered the question put forward by Deputy Collins and I regret very much that I had to come to the conclusion that it does not meet the criterion of urgency.
The Chair knows that the Minister for Foreign Affairs will not be answering questions again this session.
The Chair has no control over that. There might be hundreds of questions withdrawn tomorrow. That has happened.
I am glad I have your permission to raise it outside.
I want to emphasise that, as Deputy Collins well knows, the permission of the Chair is not required as long as he is not in breach of any of the privileges enjoyed by Members of the House.
I should like your approval, your blessing, your goodwill.