That concludes questions on promised legislation. My apologies-----

A Cheann Comhairle-----

It is unfair not to take anyone from our group.

My apologies to the six Deputies.

On a point of order, can the Ceann Comhairle explain to me Deputies' speaking rights? I indicated to him, long before other Deputies indicated here-----

Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick did.

-----but the Ceann Comhairle did not take-----

They were------

No, sorry, a Cheann Comhairle.

If Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick sits down, I will explain.

Can I please finish? I indicated to the Ceann Comhairle at an early stage and he indicated to me that I would get in. Six or seven Deputies indicated after me but I never got a chance to speak. Can the Ceann Comhairle please explain to me what way he call Deputies?

Has Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick a parliamentary party meeting?

Can the Ceann Comhairle please explain?

I can explain to Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick. I try to accommodate all parties, first and foremost. I called Deputy Howlin who entered the Chamber after Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick had indicated but I called him because no representative of the Labour Party had been included earlier and it is the norm to call on the leaders of each of the parliamentary groups present.

So why-----

Other than that-----

A Cheann Comhairle-----

I ask Deputy Fitzpatrick to sit down, please. Other than that, Deputies are called in the order in which they indicate.

Why did the Ceann Comhairle not call somebody from our group?

Three Fianna Fáil spokespeople spoke one after another. In fairness, I thought I was in in plenty of time. I gave the Ceann Comhairle plenty of notice and I am very disappointed.

The Deputy did but I cannot jump the Deputy up-----

Sorry, a Cheann Comhairle, this is not the first time I have been neglected. I am very disappointed.

I cannot jump Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick up the list ahead of others.

I am not asking that. The one thing I have never asked for in my life is for any special privilege. All I am asking for is fair play.

Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick will get fair play.

Can I clarify, on a point of order-----

No, we will have no more points of order.

On promised legislation, is the Ceann Comhairle taking each group or not? It was my understanding he would.

Yes.

The Ceann Comhairle took the Labour Party and I assumed he would take at least one Deputy from our group.

I am afraid we had not reached Deputy Coppinger before time ran out.

The Ceann Comhairle took three Deputies from Fianna Fáil.

Why is the Ceann Comhairle taking so many?

They had indicated in advance.

The Ceann Comhairle said one from each group.

Can I clarify that?

Deputy Coppinger should come to my office afterwards and discuss it with me. We are not discussing it here.

This is so we know. I will sit down then.

If Deputy Coppinger wants to know, she should come to my office and we will have a discussion with her on the matter.

The way it was done in the past-----

If Deputy Coppinger wants to know, she should come to my office.

The House would like to know how it is done, that is all. All I am asking is if the Ceann Comhairle will just explain-----

It is done precisely-----

-----because it used to be done by group, according to size. That is all. If it is not being done like that, the Ceann Comhairle should tell us.

It is being done like that. Would Deputy Coppinger resume her seat?

It is not. I have a question and I cannot ask it.

Deputy Coppinger was not here at the start of the process.

I assumed I would be coming in after the others, in order.

Would Deputy Coppinger please resume her seat?

Excuse me, I was here.

The Deputy should resume her seat.

One of us was here. I am in my seat.

If either of the Deputies has some difficulty, they can come to my office together and we can have a chat.

I would be in the Ceann Comhairle's office half my life, if I did.