Order of Business.
It is proposed to take business in the following order: Nos. 5, 7, 8, 9 and 10 (resumed). Private Members' Business, from 7 p.m. to 8.30 p.m., will be item No. 19 (resumed).
Comment on this
On the Order of Business, I want to ask for some advice on a point. Last week a number of my colleagues and myself put down a question, the object of which was to seek from the Government an expression of their view as to whether an adequate choice of solicitors and counsel in the Stardust inquiry ought not to be provided other than the two that were provided.
Comment on this
The Deputy was informed as to why that question was ruled out. I am not going to discuss it here.
Comment on this
I only want to say this, that the Chair — and I do not question his ruling — ruled it out on the grounds that the matter had been raised on the adjournment.
Comment on this
I am sorry. I have followed the usual practice in relation to that question. I am not going to allow it to be discussed here.
Comment on this
Raising a matter on the adjournment does not preclude a Deputy from questioning the Minister. There is a difference between questioning a Minister and raising a matter on the Adjournment.
Comment on this
If the Minister refuses to answer that question raised on the adjournment then no question can get an answer.
Comment on this
I have to rule on questions every day. I give hundreds of rulings and I am not going to allow this to be raised here.
Comment on this
I followed the usual procedure in relation to that question. I do not propose to allow it to be discussed here. I have to rule on numerous questions. If I were to allow my ruling on every question to be disputed in the House we would get nothing else done.
Comment on this
A question which is out of order is one thing but a question which is out of order because the matter has been raised on the adjournment is quite different. A matter raised on the adjournment cannot elicit——
Comment on this
Could the Tánaiste give us some information on the task force which was announced last weekend to investigate the chaos in the Department of Social Welfare?