My apologies to all those Deputies-----

On a point of order, I asked to come in on a similar issue to Deputy Gino Kenny. The Ceann Comhairle did not allow it but he then let several other people do exactly that on other issues.

I did not get to come in at all.

Deputy Boyd Barrett asked to come in-----

On the same issue.

-----when the issue had already been raised and addressed by the Tánaiste. If a Deputy indicates in advance when a matter is raised, I have no difficulty. The Deputy cannot come in after the event. He has made his point of order so I ask him to resume his seat.

I have not, actually.

You have.

I have not. I am making a point of order. This is the last day of the Dáil.

No, tomorrow is the last day.

It might be the last day for him.

This is the last chance we will have to question what is on the Dáil schedule.

The same applies to everyone.

A report has been produced about Deputy Gino Kenny's medicinal cannabis Bill-----

Deputy, resume your seat.

-----where it has been stated that this Bill is going to be stopped even though it was passed democratically last December.

Resume your seat.

That is a subversion of the authority of the Dáil.

It is not. That is absolutely incorrect.

It is.

Would you please resume your seat?

The health committee made a decision.

The health committee has no right to decide that a Bill that was passed by this House is not going any further.

It has every right.

I am asking you to resume your seat. Will you resume your seat?

No.

The House stands suspended until Deputy Boyd Barrett resumes his seat.

Perhaps for the benefit of-----

A Cheann Comhairle-----

Just a second, Deputy. I want to clarify the position in respect of a Bill that has been the subject of some debate.

The Cannabis for Medicinal Use Regulation Bill 2016.

Yes, the Cannabis for Medicinal Use Regulation Bill 2016. An all-party Oireachtas committee, which is chaired by a respected Independent Deputy, has produced a report on the matter.

We are not on that committee.

That report will form the basis of a motion that will have to come before the House in September. When that motion comes before the House, I expect that the Business Committee will provide for an opportunity for the matter to be debated. That is the procedure. That is the democratic process in action and in operation. I appeal to Deputy Boyd Barrett to respect that process. It has worked in the past. I do not see why it would not work in relation to the particular issues about which he is concerned.

I would like to respond briefly. For the record, it is not an all-party committee. The party and group that put forward this Bill is not represented on the committee. I think there has been an absolutely outrageous sabotage of this Bill for the most spurious of reasons. Medical evidence from doctors, the Irish Medical Organisation, Professor Mike Barnes, Professor David Finn and many other people who are experts in this area has been distorted and denied. Instead, the committee has relied on expert evidence from the pharmaceutical industry.

We cannot get involved in the debate.

I will finish on this point. The procedural clarification given by the Ceann Comhairle was necessary because the message that went out from the Chairman of the committee and other members of the committee was to the effect that they had a right to stop this Bill from proceeding to Committee Stage. They do not have that right. Only the Dáil has that right. In fact, Standing Order 141 suggests that once a Bill goes past Second Stage, notwithstanding the right of the committee to scrutinise it or to refer it back to the Dáil, it will go to Committee Stage. Many other Bills, including Deputy McLoughlin's Bill, have been substantially changed on the basis of legal advice, but have still gone to Committee Stage. In this case, the Bill is being sabotaged by all the representatives on the health committee. The Deputies who put the Bill forward-----

That is not true.

Was it unanimous?

Was it unanimous?

Wait now.

Was it unanimous?

Deputy, please.

It was sabotage.

This is a joke.

Please-----

The point is made, a Cheann Comhairle.

You have made your point. Will you resume your seat now, please?

There must be respect for the committees of the House.

The matter will be returned to by way of substantive motion when the Dáil returns in September.