I appreciate that I have to accept the Chair's ruling on my Private Notice Question regarding the placing of B & I orders in Merseyside shipyards at the cost of the Cork economy, putting further jobs in jeopardy there. While accepting that this is ultimately a decision for the board of the company, I would ask the Minister to intercede with B & I to postpone action on the two ships which are allegedly to depart in the near future for the Merseyside yard. This would give an opportunity to everybody to discuss the possibilities.

I heard the Minister inform the Deputy that he would receive him in his office if he wished.

That was in relation to something else.

I know, but the Deputy cannot pursue this topic. He stands up to tell me that he accepts my ruling and then ignores it. Item No. 10.

This is pretty hard to take when jobs are in jeopardy. Would you recommend to the Minister that he should receive me?

I will receive the Deputy.

If Deputy Gene Fitzgerald would devote elsewhere some of the enormous energy he is using in the House to raise the matter about which he is concerned, he might succeed in having Standing Orders amended to suit him.

That is not fair. I resent that. I am not a member of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges but the Chair is chairman of that committee. We talk about Dáil reform. It is high time, with the Cork economy falling apart, that we were able to bring up items of urgent importance.

The Deputy will resume his seat.

I will, but under protest because of the inadequacy of the system available for raising such issues.

I wish to raise on the Adjournment the question of the B & I ships being sent out of the country.

The Chair will communicate with the Deputy.