Before adjourning the House may I say that during the course of rather heated exchanges in the House this morning I said to Deputy Proinsias De Rossa, "your purpose in doing so is to identify your presence here". On reflection I now wish to withdraw the remark without qualification and unreservedly express my apology to the Deputy.
Statement by Ceann Comhairle.
I wish to thank you for the apology and the unreserved and generous form in which you have expressed it. I should like to say that I will indeed continue to do my business in this House but will do so in co-operation with you in so far as that is always possible. I hope you feel in no way belittled by the apology. In my estimation it has raised your stature as Ceann Comhairle.
I am very pleased to do so.
The Dáil adjourned at 4.55 p.m. until 2.30 p.m. on Wednesday, 25 April 1990.