On a point of order, the Chair will be aware that I tried to raise the matter of the RTE strike by way of a Private Notice Question and while I accept the Chair's ruling on the matter, I am disappointed and disturbed about the ruling. I now ask that the Chair would consider my application to raise the matter on the Adjournment. I wish to ask the Minister for Labour what steps he is taking to prevent this strike which will have widespread ill-effects not only on RTE as the national television service but also throughout the country in the present circumstances. I appreciate the patience the Chair has shown me.

The Deputy can be assured that I did not treat his request lightly. I gave every consideration to it in an effort to get it allowed as a Private Notice Question. However, I will communicate with the Deputy with regard to his request to raise the matter on the Adjournment.

It is a matter of public importance and raising it on the Adjournment is the only mechanism I can use at the moment.