I refer to motion No. 122 on the Order Paper in my name and the names of Deputies Timmins, Terence Flanagan, Mathews and Naughten.

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for the leadership he has shown the House and for the democratic fairness he has demonstrated to all of us by his actions in allowing all of us who find ourselves outside of the party Whip to have the opportunity to speak, participate and represent the people in the Chamber.

Hear, hear.

In that light, will the Taoiseach consider very carefully our motion, No. 122 on the Order Paper, and show leadership in injecting more democracy and opportunity for participation by Members in both Houses? While I do not expect that he can deal with this right now, I ask him to instruct the Chief Whip to liaise with those of us who find ourselves excluded from participation in Oireachtas committees and to find a way to allow us to represent the interests of the people on the key issues of the day. That is simply what we are requesting, and we simply want to be treated equally.

I commend the Ceann Comhairle on his clarification of the decision under Standing Orders that he made yesterday. Clearly, bearing in mind the position on elected Members who are members of a registered political party or a technical group, there is a slight difference if members of a particular party decide, by their actions, not to be members of it anymore. The position, as I understand it, is that there is only one Technical Group in the House but that if anybody who is no longer a member of a registered political party applies for membership of it, he or she cannot be refused.

That is not correct.

On that basis, one is entitled, as a member of a technical group, to full membership of committees and, therefore, one can make representations and express one's views at those committees. It is also possible, as the Deputy is well aware from experience, for every Deputy to attend any committee meeting and contribute. He or she can table amendments to Bills on Report Stage if the matters are raised on Committee Stage and, of course, contribute in respect of the new format regarding submissions on pre-legislative issues. In respect of having full membership of committees, while Members were appointed full members of committees by virtue of their having been representatives of a political party-----

They are voted on by the Dáil.

-----and not now being so, it is still possible for them-----

Parties should not own the Dáil.

-----to be considered for full membership of committees as members of the Technical Group. I understand that if anybody wishes to apply for membership and, therefore, have full membership of committees, that is a matter for-----

Is that a convoluted "No"?

We are not having a debate on this.

It is very clear; it is not a convoluted "No".

It is very clear and democratic.

This is the Order of Business and four more Members wish to contribute. There is a minute and a half remaining.

If any Deputy seeks full membership of a committee, the route to that, according to the clarification given by the Ceann Comhairle, is to apply for membership of the Technical Group.

On a point or order, that is misleading and not correct.

That is not correct.

The Deputy can correct that later but I cannot allow a debate. There is one minute remaining and four Deputies wish to contribute.

It should not be on the record.

The information is on the record and it is misleading. It is not correct.

It is not correct.

The issue should be raised separately. We are straying from the Order of Business.