Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Ceist:7 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Taoiseach if he has received a report from the All-party Committee on the Constitution in relation to representation in the Oireachtas for citizens resident in the Six Counties. [21827/99]
Ceisteanna – Questions. - All-Party Committee on the Constitution.
I understand the All-party Committee on the Constitution invited all Northern parties to make submissions on the issue and that the SDLP, Sinn Féin and the Women's Alliance responded to the invitation. The committee met in private session with the SDLP and Sinn Féin and work is in progress on this matter.
I look forward to early progress on the issue. On a related matter, over one year ago a commitment was given in my presence by the Minister for Foreign Affairs to visit south Armagh at the invitation of the South Armagh Farmers and Residents Committee. Last week, however, in reply to a question tabled by me the Minister indicated that he had no intention of fulfilling this commitment. This is a serious snub to the community concerned.
That is a separate question. I cannot see how it is related to the question tabled by the Deputy.
The inter-relationship of the citizenry on part of the island and its representation in this House has a clear co-relation—
It is not a proper supplementary question.
The people for whom I am speaking have no other forum in which to address—
The Deputy should accept the ruling of the Chair. If he believes that it is an important matter he should table a separate question.
It is an important matter—
Then it is out of order to raise it at this stage.
—because of the commitment given by the Minister for Foreign Affairs to a section of the people on the island which has not been fulfilled 12 months on.
What the Chair is indicating is that the Deputy's supplementary question is not in order. Question No. 7 asks for specific information. The answer has been given to that question and it is only directly arising out of that answer that a supplementary question can be addressed.
I will not engage with you on it, a Cheann Comhairle.
The Deputy cannot engage because clearly he is out of order.
I will not. I only ask, therefore, that the Taoiseach will take on board my concern and the extreme disappointment of the people of that area over the failure to—
The Chair has ruled the question out of order. I call Deputy Gay Mitchell.
In addition to extending rights to citizens north of the Border of representation in the Oireachtas, will the Taoiseach tell the House if any consideration is being given to extending to the universities north of the Border the right to elect Members of the Seanad? There are Members of this—
The Deputy should table a separate question. This is a very specific question.
It is a very specific question which asks about representation.
I have ruled that the Deputy should not proceed. There are other questions. I am proceeding to Question No. 8.
A Cheann Comhairle, just a moment, please.
The Deputy cannot challenge the ruling of the Chair.
The Chair is ruling out questions that are in order because Ministers refuse to answer.
The Deputy should table a separate question.
When we ask questions about representation in the Oireachtas—
The Deputy should table a separate—
No, Sir, there is a question down about it.
I have ruled the Deputy out of order.
This is outrageous. This is what brings this House into disrepute.
The Deputy is out of order.
A Cheann Comhairle, I object to your ruling out of order the questions—
The Deputy is out of order. I am calling Question No. 8.
It is no wonder we have tribunal after tribunal—
The Deputy should not attack the Chair. I will call on the Deputy to leave the House.
I have a sheaf of questions which have been ruled out of order.
If the Deputy does not resume his seat, he will leave the House.
I have been present in this House when you allowed supplementaries.
I have an obligation to the other Deputies who are sitting patiently waiting for their questions to be called.
I have been sitting patiently in this House and you allowed supplementaries—
I have called Question No. 8.
This is a farce.