On a point of order, before Question Time begins I must point out to you, Sir, that the list of questions for the Taoiseach today is incomplete. I had a question down to the Taoiseach today, as had other Members of the House, which has been disallowed — and I have your communication of this morning — on the grounds that the questions anticipate statements to be made in the Dáil this afternoon. It seems to me, A Cheann Comhairle, it would be fitting, right and proper that before statements are made we should have the opportunity of teasing out any information the Taoiseach has so that our statements later in the afternoon can be better informed. I would like to protest, a Cheann Comhairle, at the decision you have made in this case.
It seems to me that statements made in this House could only gain from the maximum amount of information possible being available to Members of the House before making those statements. It seems that on that ground the operation of the rule as indicated by the Ceann Comhairle obstructs debate rather than helps it.