On Sunday, when I read the reports of the expenses claimed by the Ceann Comhairle over the past two years and the supplementary information which was supplied to us later in the day by the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission, I felt that the pattern of extravagance was unacceptable. It was unacceptable to me as a public representative, unacceptable to me as taxpayer and, I believe, unacceptable to the vast majority of taxpayers. I considered that it was an something that Dáil Éireann would have to deal with, and deal with quickly.

Recognising the independence of the office of Ceann Comhairle, I felt it was not something that should be done unilaterally or in a partisan way. I wrote to the leaders of each of the political parties in the House suggesting that we should meet to discuss how this issue should be appropriately dealt with. I suggested that there should be a reply by 2.30 p.m. so that we would know where we were going with the matter before the Dáil recommenced today. I thank the party leaders who responded to me but I am disappointed that it has not been possible to arrange the kind of meeting I had envisaged. I am particularly disappointed that the Taoiseach did not agree to such a meeting. The issue that arises therefore is an issue of Dáil Éireann's confidence in the Ceann Comhairle. Do the Taoiseach and the parties in government continue to have confidence in Deputy O'Donoghue as Ceann Comhairle?

It is greatly to be regretted that the issue was brought to the House in this way. I have said to the Deputy that I believe that the appropriate forum for a discussion to take place is the meeting tomorrow of the commission that is charged with responsibility for the running of the Houses and the privileges and various arrangements of the Members in this House. The Ceann Comhairle has indicated that he intends to put his proposals to the commission on that basis. That is the appropriate forum and we should await the outcome of that process.

It is important that the confidence of the House in the Ceann Comhairle can be confirmed on the basis of a discussion and decisions that should be taken at that commission meeting. I assure Deputy Gilmore that it is my view and that of the Government that we ensure full transparency in respect of all that we do here. There is nothing for us to hide and nothing that we should hide. We need public confidence in our democratic institutions. I am of the view that the means by which that can be done is always in our interests. It is on that basis that I have asked that that meeting take place at the commission tomorrow.

A Cheann Comhairle, I did not want to bring this issue onto the floor of the House. That is why I suggested the course of action that unfortunately has not been accepted, namely, that the leaders of the political parties would meet, discuss the matter and agree a course of action on a cross-party basis.

I do not agree that the appropriate forum is the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission. It is essentially an in-house committee which deals with the administration of the House. It meets in private. It is not a political body in the sense that there is political accountability to it. The Ceann Comhairle is elected by the Members of this House and therefore it is a matter for the House, for Dáil Éireann itself, to deal with.

A Cheann Comhairle, I regret to say this but I consider that your position is no longer tenable. I think you will either have to resign or be removed from office. Following the Order of Business today it is my intention to meet with my colleagues in the Labour Parliamentary Party and to recommend to them the tabling of a confidence motion.

Thank you Deputy Gilmore.

I was very much of the view that the Ceann Comhairle be given an opportunity to put his proposals and his views to the commission which is meeting tomorrow. I felt that that would be in keeping and consonant with the independence of his office and that he should be afforded an opportunity to do so.