First, Deputy Doherty has called on me, I think, to instigate an independent investigation into what happened in the Department of Foreign Affairs when we won our seat on the UN Security Council.

I am satisfied with the investigation that has taken place and I will not be doing that. While I was not in government at the time, I have been very clear since this event was brought to my attention that it was wrong and should not have happened. Those involved have apologised. I am genuinely taken aback by Deputy Doherty's tone and attitude on this matter. He is the deputy leader of a party that invited almost 2,000 members and supporters onto the streets of Belfast and then to a political rally, in essence, in Milltown Cemetery at a time when the ordinary men and women he spoke about-----

The Taoiseach is comparing a funeral to a champagne party. Scandalous.

The Taoiseach, without interruption.

-----that is, everybody else on the island, were limited to 30 people at a funeral.

The Taoiseach will stand over any Fine Gael-----

Sinn Féin had people lining the streets in uniform, while the ordinary men and women Deputy Doherty talked about were distraught because they could not attend the funeral of their loved ones.

The Taoiseach will stand over any crony appointment, or any pay raise or whatever it takes-----

The Deputy's party was being investigated by the police for four months-----

-----but he will not actually do the decent thing.

-----for breaches of the criminal law.

That comment should be withdrawn.

The point is that everybody with eyes in their head could see what happened. That funeral took place only weeks after the event Deputy Doherty is raising such a huge issue about. To the best of my knowledge-----

Is the Minister coming to the House?

-----the Deputy and his organisation have never admitted that they were wrong in what they did, but they lecture everybody else. There is one law for Sinn Féin and a different law for everybody else when it comes to this.

Will the Deputies please let the Taoiseach respond?

How long is the Ceann Comhairle going to give him to respond? He has not responded. He is talking about the funeral of somebody who passed away two years ago.

I do not like having to do that.

No. The Taoiseach actually took plenty of joy in that.

The Deputy keeps going on. I do not like having to do that.

The Taoiseach does not care that there is a grieving family in the middle of this.

I do care.

The Taoiseach's attempt to compare a champagne party with the funeral of a friend is disgraceful.

It is shameful.

It is.

Can we all hold on a minute? I said last week that if this constant interruption continues, I will suspend the House. If Deputies want me to do so, they should continue to interrupt, but I think we will do the courteous thing and hear the Taoiseach out. He has three minutes in which to respond.

The Taoiseach made a very provocative statement, in fairness. It was an outrageous statement. What does the Ceann Comhairle expect us to do?

It seems the only people who can call foul, criticise or say others have created a scandal are those in the Sinn Féin Party. I am telling home truths.

If the Taoiseach wants to go into the muck-----

I do not like doing it. I have to do it.

-----he should expect to be rebuffed.

What went on in respect of the Department of Foreign Affairs event was the wrong thing to do. Those involved are public servants involved have given long service to this State. They have admitted they were wrong and have apologised for one minute's breach of the social guidance. It pales into insignificance by comparison with what Sinn Féin organised. That is the bottom line. That is what I am saying and that is all I have to say about it. I am not revisiting the issue any more. I ask Deputy Doherty not to be so hypocritical in his response.

In response to Deputy Boyd Barrett, there are questions this evening-----

Can we get an answer to the question?

The Deputy should resume his seat.

On a point of order-----

There is no point of order.

-----will the Minister come to the House to answer questions? This is the House that keeps the Minister accountable.

The Deputy should resume his seat.

The Minister for Education will be in the House this evening-----

We need a specific discussion on this.

-----to answer questions on the leaving certificate. We will talk to the Whip to see if, at some later date this week, a debate can be organised on the leaving certificate. I take Deputy Denis Naughten's point that a debate, where people can bring their different perspectives to the table fully, would be useful and important. I have no issue with that. The Minister will be in the House this evening to answer questions and, I presume, there will be a number of questions on the leaving certificate.

Deputy Michael Collins raised the issue of the work of our fisherman in respect of their diplomacy with the Russian ambassador. I understand that one of the key fishermen involved thanked the Minister, Deputy Coveney, for his intervention. Apparently, they were at one regarding the successful outcome of the representations made by the Minister and our fishermen.