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Dáil
‹ Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Public Service Pay.

Complaint about combining question sessions

Summary

Ahern objects that combining Defence and Public Service questions limits his opportunity to ask questions, while the Ceann Comhairle says scheduling is for the Whips. Brief procedural exchanges follow.

Thomas J. Fitzpatrick An Ceann Comhairle Fine Gael

Ceist 11 from Deputy John O'Leary.

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A Cheann Comhairle, could I ask——

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Thomas J. Fitzpatrick An Ceann Comhairle Fine Gael

I am sorry Deputy, I must go now to the Defence questions.

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May I put it on the record, as I notice that there is a review of the system——

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Thomas J. Fitzpatrick An Ceann Comhairle Fine Gael

I cannot allow the Deputy.

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I purposely put in very few Fianna Fáil questions so that we could get an opportunity to raise them. This will be the last time for four and a half months that I shall be allowed to ask a question. I ask the Ceann Comhairle to make sure that this silly idea of adding together Defence and Public Service questions be stopped.

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Thomas J. Fitzpatrick An Ceann Comhairle Fine Gael

That is a matter for the Whips.

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It is not my job. You are in charge of the House.

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Thomas J. Fitzpatrick An Ceann Comhairle Fine Gael

Ceist 11.

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Could I just ask——

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Thomas J. Fitzpatrick An Ceann Comhairle Fine Gael

I am sorry, Deputy, I must go to the Defence questions.

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I presume I shall get five minutes extra.

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Thomas J. Fitzpatrick An Ceann Comhairle Fine Gael

The Deputy is wasting time. It was a question to the Taoiseach and that has been excluded. The time is divided after that.

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I apologise.

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I did not get even one question, only half a question.

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Thomas J. Fitzpatrick An Ceann Comhairle Fine Gael

If there is not an argument, one must be manufactured.

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I would never do that.

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