Before I ask about promised legislation, I want to raise an issue on a point of order.

There are no points of order here on these matters.

This is a genuine point of order relating to the ordering of the House. It is important that Deputies know what is before us. I understand all Opposition parties requested a question-and-answer session with the Minister, Deputy Donohoe, later this afternoon. It is appropriate that Deputies would be informed whether the Order of the House is going to be altered and whether what was unanimously agreed by the Opposition and put forward - a question-and-answer session - will be facilitated today. I think that would be fair.

That will be dealt with by the Business Committee as soon as a communication is had from the Minister in relation to this matter.

Do we take it that the Minister has not requested that?

The Minister has been here all morning answering questions from Members. He has not managed to bilocate yet.

In fairness, with respect we all have staff, and the Minister has more staff than many of us to send an email looking to make a statement before the House. It is appropriate that this is facilitated today and that there is a question-and-answer session.

Is the Tánaiste in a position to clarify what is going to happen in terms of the proposed statement to which the Deputy has referred? Somebody might clarify this.

My understanding is that the Minister has offered to come before the House at the earliest opportunity.

Would that include today?

I am not in a position to come in front of the House this afternoon, but I am going to come in front of the House at the earliest possible opportunity. I gave an indication in the Dáil, under repeated questioning this morning, that I did want to come back and update the House. I have looked to fulfil my commitments to this House as well as I can. I am committed to continuing to do so.

Thank you. That makes that very clear. Can we move on to questions on promised legislation?

It may be clear, but it is completely and utterly unacceptable.

We are not getting into a debate.

It is completely and utterly unacceptable that the Minister is saying that he will not come before the House until next week. That is absolutely unacceptable.

Resume your seat. We are moving on to questions on promised legislation. Do you have a question on promised legislation?

I note that the Minister has still not said whether he will answer questions. I note that.

No. Please respect the Orders of the House and proper precedent.

I do, but I want to make the point that the Minister has said he will not come before the House until next week. The Opposition has requested that he answer questions in a question-and-answer session, but he still has not indicated that he is willing to do that. In the middle of a scandal, that is a valid point to make.

That matter will be dealt with by the Business Committee in proper fashion.

With respect, our party has written to the Business Committee and asked for you to convene the Business Committee to facilitate today a question-and-answer session with the Minister who is in the middle of an almighty controversy and is in serious trouble. I ask you, as Ceann Comhairle, to facilitate that request today.

I have no problem convening a meeting of the Business Committee today, none whatsoever. Do you have a question on promised legislation?

I do have a question on promised legislation.

Good.