On a point of order, on the Order of Business you informed Deputy Gene Fitzgerald that it was not in order to raise the question of the imprisoned Ranks workers and that he should find some other modus operandi within Standing Orders to do so. I had intended to raise the question, as I did yesterday. I have under Standing Orders, under an accepted procedure, submitted a Private Notice Question to the Minister for Labour on this very serious matter of the jailing of 14 Ranks workers. Again you have in your wisdom disallowed this question, a Cheann Comhairle. I have studied Standing Orders and found nothing to justify your disallowing this question. I would ask you to clarify your reasons for disallowing a question which has not been raised before. A situation has not existed where 14 workers have been jailed following an industrial dispute.

I have gone out of my way to allow Deputy Gregory to make a submission and he is even abusing that. It gives me no pleasure to have to rule Deputies out of order or to rule out of order matters raised by Deputies, but the Chair is bound by Standing Orders and precedents. I have to rule Deputy Gregory's request out of order on the grounds that the matter was dealt with in principle last Thursday when it was raised not only by a question but also on the Adjournment. The Minister dealt fully and comprehensively with it and stated that, if there was any change or any other development by which he could help, he would gladly do so. To raise it again now would be repetitive. The fact that there happens to be some change numerically in the situation does not change the position. I am very sorry that I cannot allow any further discussion on it and I am calling the next business.

In fairness to Deputy Gregory——

I am sorry. Deputy O'Dea is in possession on the budget debate.

Could you hear me for a moment, please?

No, I will not. Deputy Fitzgerald intervened this morning and got on the record and Deputy Gregory has got on the record now. I am sorry but we have moved to the next business.

It is a principle.

The Chair is more concerned with principle than with Deputies and the Chair is concerned with principle as it affects the business of the House. Deputy O'Dea on the budget, please.

On a point of order——

I will not hear any more points of order or any more submissions on this matter.

I have a question which relates to something on the Order Paper.

If Deputy Walsh wishes to raise something else he may certainly do so.

May I ask a question arising from what Deputy Gregory says?

No, you cannot. I have ruled and that is that.

Surely it is reasonable to raise a point of order. You have not heard the point of order.

I will not have points of order used for interventions which themselves are out of order. Deputy Seán Walsh on another matter.