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Dáil
‹ Leaders' Questions (Resumed)

Tribunal commentary and order

Summary

After Leaders' Questions ended, Members repeatedly sought a ruling on whether it was in order to comment on an ongoing tribunal and the Chair intervened several times. The exchanges were procedural and inconclusive, with the Chair saying the matter would be communicated to leaders.

That concludes Leaders' Questions. I wish to point out to the leaders that we are way over time. Standing Orders provide for a specific amount time to deal with Leaders' Questions and it is extremely disappointing that the leaders continually disregard the order of the House when they speak. I ask them to have regard to the orders of the House.

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On a point of order, is it in order for leaders to comment on a tribunal in the middle of the tribunal's proceedings?

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It is shocking.

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Judge Charleton has not reported.

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No, we are not getting into that.

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I believe we are precluded from doing so.

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The Taoiseach is out of order.

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Please resume your seat. We are not getting into that.

I call-----

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On a point of order, is it our position? We need to know for future reference for other Deputies, otherwise we will all come in every day and start commenting on various pieces of evidence given at tribunals.

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A ruling would be helpful.

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Leo Varadkar The Taoiseach Fine Gael

People are constantly commenting on commissions and tribunals. I would be very happy if it was all out of order.

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I call Deputy Róisín Shortall to announce the Order of Business for the week.

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Leo Varadkar The Taoiseach Fine Gael

I would be very happy if the commissions of investigation and tribunals were all out of order.

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They are only out of order for parliamentary questions.

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The House has more compassion.

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Do you know what? If you all want to have a chat we can adjourn the House-----

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Adjourn the House.

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----- and have a bit of a barney. If we are going to conduct the business properly, can I please-----

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Leo Varadkar The Taoiseach Fine Gael

I might ask to have a ruling from the Chair at some point. We constantly have tribunals and commissions of investigation discussed in the House when they are ongoing. A ruling on that from the Chair would be helpful.

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We will communicate with leaders this afternoon.

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My point is different. My point is-----

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No, you have no point now because we are at-----

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He never has a point.

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On a point of order, we have been warned-----

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No.

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No.

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You know the precedent is we cannot comment-----

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Resume your seat.

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I am asking a question.

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We are moving on to Deputy Shortall.

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You know there is precedent that does not allow Members to comment on evidence to tribunals.

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We all know there is precedent.

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