I raise the matter that will be discussed in the Private Members' debate tomorrow at 10 a.m. Yesterday, I met the Chief Whip just outside the Chamber to ask what the position of the Government parties was on this Private Members Bill because it affects our Constitution, parliamentary representation and responsibility to conscience. The proposed section has the exact same wording as the official translation of Article 38.1 in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Germany.

This is outrageous.

The Chief Whip said he could not tell me the Government's position on it.

The Deputy will find out tomorrow.

It is absolutely outrageous.

It was discourteous. Earlier this week, I had spoken to the Secretary General of the Department of the Taoiseach to apprise him of what was in this, its meaning and why it was being proposed.

Please, resume your seat, Deputy. I will call the Tánaiste.

I am sorry.

No, I am sorry.

Yesterday, The Taoiseach told me he had consulted the Attorney General. There is no need to consult the Attorney General at this stage.

Deputy Mathews, please co-operate with the Chair.

I have always co-operated with the Chair.

I know, I am asking you to resume your seat.

The Leas-Cheann Comhairle is on his feet.

I will have to ask you to leave the House if you do not resume your seat.

You do not have to ask me to leave; you may choose to ask me.

This is very unfair. I will have to suspend the House, and many Members are trying to ask questions.

I will take only one further minute.

No. Please, Deputy. I call the Tánaiste to deal with the question if she is able to.

I thank Deputy Mathews for his question. His Bill will be debated in the House tomorrow and the Ceann Comhairle - I mean the Chief Whip-----

It was a Freudian slip.

Is that a sign of what is coming down the track?

Now we know.

-----will be present at the debate and will respond to the proposals in the Bill on behalf of the Government.

I hope he knows his lines by heart.

All will be revealed.

The Chief Whip is a theatre actor. He can learn his lines by heart.