I had a question down to the Taoiseach regarding instructions from his Department to the College of Art in Dublin to seek the return of the Chester Beatty paintings from the Cork Gallery and you, Sir, ruled it out of order as being argumentative, even though it is a matter within the competence of the Taoiseach's Department. May I have the reasons for your ruling?

I have studied the question and I have also sought the advice of my advisers. It was adjudged argumentative.

If it is a matter in which the Taoiseach has responsibility, surely the question should be allowed and he should answer it.

Not a question that is argumentative.

It was not argumentative. All I sought to do was to ask——

Sorry, Deputy, you are not allowed to question——

——the Taoiseach to instruct——

It is out of order to question the ruling of the Chair.

It should be allowed.

Deputy, it is not within your rights to question a decision of the Chair when a question is disallowed. You are welcome to discuss it with me at my office.

That does not get the question down on the Order Paper for answer by the Taoiseach, and the matter is his responsibility.

If you will discuss it with me, we will review it in the light——

I ask you to allow it on the Order Paper for next week.

If it is proved not argumentative, I will indeed.

That seems an awful waste of time.