I want to raise a point of order concerning a Private Notice Question in the names of Deputies Calleary, Morley, Denis Gallagher and me which has been refused by you. I wish to ask you if you do not regard the withdrawal of a commitment by this administration to the west of Ireland, the abandonment of a solemn commitment given by the Taoiseach to the continuation of the regional airport project in the west of Ireland, as a matter of public importance? I suggest, Sir, that it is a matter of national concern and that you should have allowed it.

You are making me out to be a villain. The Private Notice Question was not a matter of urgent public importance and consequently I could not allow it.

Are you suggesting that a question of reneging on a solemn promise given by the Taoiseach is not a matter of urgent importance——

You had ample time to put down a normal question since last Thursday. Indeed you could have put down a question for written reply and then could have raised the matter on the Adjournment.

Because of technical information available to us there is an urgency about this matter. Works which have been done will prove to be useless and will have to be re-done, all excavations will have to be re-done. In view of that, would the Ceann Comhairle be prepared to have another look at the question? We regard the whole thing as being very urgent. There will have been a waste of money for the technical reasons I mentioned. Would the Ceann Comhairle look at the matter again?

You have my assurance that I examined it very thoroughly before reluctantly coming to the decision to refuse it. To have qualified under the Standing Order, it would have had to arise suddenly. This was not the case. You have an opportunity to raise it by way of a question for written reply or by way of a normal question. Then if you are not happy it could be raised by way of motion or a Question on the Adjournment.

This is a matter of great public concern not just for the Mayo area but for the whole of the north-west. It is a cause of great public disquiet that the Government have reneged on a commitment on this project — the Taoiseach himself is reneging on his commitment to this project. Because of its importance and interest to the people of the west generally I ask you to reconsider this.

You have other means at your disposal.

Would you not regard the unchristian act of the Taoiseach and some of his Ministers as of great national importance? It has caused enormous disquiet and considerable hardship to the people of the west. Do you not regard our future in the west as being of some importance?

I am responsible for maintaining order in the House. I am abiding by the Standing Order. If there was a possibility of my allowing the question I would have done so gladly. I cannot allow you to continue because to do so would be disorderly. I gave my decision on it after much examination.

Would you consider allowing the matter to be raised on the Adjournment so that the Taoiseach himself could come in and justify him reneging on a solemn promise given by him to the people of the west of Ireland? He has broken faith and his word and that is a matter of serious political consequence to this House as well at to the west of Ireland.

I will communicate with the Deputy.