Participation in Leaders’ Questions
Ó Caoláin objected that he could not participate in Leaders’ Questions and that his proposals to debate changing Standing Orders had been disallowed. The Ceann Comhairle said Standing Orders must be followed and can be changed through established procedures.
A Cheann Comhairle, will you allow a point of clarification?
Comment on this
No, there is no such thing under Standing Orders as a point of clarification; there is a point of order——
Comment on this
The Ceann Comhairle indicated in his response to Deputy Kenny that if Standing Orders did not suit the House we could have them changed.
Comment on this
I am not allowed to participate in Leaders' Questions for the first time in over five years.
Comment on this
We submitted four proposals for a matter on the Adjournment this evening, each of which the Ceann Comhairle has disallowed, which proposed addressing changing Standing Orders here on the floor of the House. I ask is that fair?
Comment on this
All I can tell the Deputy is that if Members want to change Standing Orders of the House there are methodologies for doing so and there are proposals which can be put in order to do it. My function here is to impose Standing Orders as have been agreed.
I understand that prior to the taking of the Order of Business the Taoiseach wishes to make an announcement for the information of the House.