As an Opposition should in a democracy, we can put a motion but when it is passed, it can be ignored by the Government.

Please resume your seat.

We can put forward Bills that are passed on Second Stage and then blocked. Now, when we try to amend Standing Orders, the Ceann Comhairle simply rules that out of order and our motion is being deleted.

We have a meeting at 5 p.m.

It is unprecedented and outrageous that the democratic wish of the Dáil is repeatedly interfered with by the Government.

Please resume your seat.

Unfortunately, the Ceann Comhairle is allowing this.

I will suspend the House if the Deputy keeps this up.

You might as well.

It is about the right to interpret the Constitution as opposed to implementing and amending Standing Orders.

The meeting at 5 p.m. will achieve nothing because whether the Sub-Committee on Dáil Reform passes the motion, the Ceann Comhairle will deem it unconstitutional, which he has no right to do.

Do not come to the meeting if you do not believe it will do anything. Is the proposal for dealing with Thursday's business agreed to?

Vótáil.

Too late. Resume your seat.

Too late. Deputy Boyd Barrett should have kept his eye on the ball.

The Ceann Comhairle is covering up for unconstitutionality and acting as a mudguard for the Government.

Resume your seat, Deputy Murphy. Deputy Murphy, I am asking you to resume your seat. This is a democratic forum within which no Member is allowed to shout down his or her colleagues.

It is not.

Will the Deputy resume his seat?

He is saying we have the right to amend Standing Orders.

Is not Deputy Murphy able to speak for himself, Deputy Smith?

This flies in the face of democracy.

The House is suspended for ten minutes.