I thank the Ceann Comhairle. It looks like, no matter what we say here, the Government is going to railroad these changes through. It is very clear to the good, honest and hard-working people of this country that this is what the Taoiseach was going to do anyway. He has to be straight and honest. What is the deal he has done with Deputy Michael Lowry that has him spellbound? We know the deal has cost more than €5 million already with extra super junior Ministers, extra junior Ministers and extra payments for them alone over five years. Is it going to cost the honest and hard-working taxpayer €50 million? Is it going to cost €100 million, €200 million or above?

Hear, hear.

We need to know. The taxpayer needs to know. The ordinary man and woman who cannot afford to pay weekly bills need to know here and now. They know it is a sleazy deal that taxpayers must pay heavily for. On top of that, the Taoiseach wants them to ask planted questions in this House to make a mockery of the Irish people in Dáil Éireann.

I ask the Taoiseach to come clean on the deal that might yet crumble around him and to pull back from the mockery of the Irish people who are not with him on this one. Will he admit he cut 45 minutes of Taoiseach's Questions? Will he admit he cut the Order of Business time? Will he admit he cut Private Members' business time for our party by 20% on Wednesdays and Thursdays? This Lowry deal has cost us enough financially.

I thank Deputy Collins.

Do not let it cost us our democracy also.

The Deputy cannot be serious. He talks about it costing our democracy. Eight minutes on a Tuesday and our democracy is gone.

Please, Deputies.

Is the Taoiseach familiar with democracy?

Come on; it is farcical. However, in a more serious vein-----

Will the Deputy resume his seat? This is Deputy Collins's time.

What is really behind this, and it is very clear, is that the Opposition-----

There is a fundamental issue here-----

The fundamental issue here is the lack of respect for the Chair. The salient ruling-----

The Deputies are making an absolute holy show of themselves. I am loath to say it again but will the Deputy resume his seat?

Sorry, Ceann Comhairle-----

All Deputies, resume your seats.

-----I will not resume my seat.

Deputy, out of respect------

What is at stake here is a fundamental subversion of our rights to hold the Government to account. It is a fundamental question.

Sorry, Deputy, while you may not have respect for me-----

They need to convey why they are breaking their word to the Opposition. They told us on the day, on the floor here. You made the commitment it would be an agreement.

We can hear you okay.

Tell us now why you are breaking your word. What did that guy do to you in between?

Deputy, resume your seat.

You said there would be agreement so stand up and say it. You can laugh all you want, Michéal, but it is not funny. It is not funny what you are doing.

You might laugh, Taoiseach, but you are not in the White House now. Get up.

You are making-----

It is shocking what you are doing. It has never, ever happened, the stunt that you are trying to pull here.

For the public watching, you are making a holy-----

It is not going to happen.

One of your colleagues mentioned misogyny.

Misogyny is what was mentioned earlier.

This is a disgrace. Unbelievable.

This is a disgrace from the Government who are not listening to the Opposition and not listening to their own backbenchers. This is wrong. It is a disgrace.

Answer the question honestly. Give us an honest answer.

You have not answered the question. Not honest, but misleading.

It is an absolute disgrace. You are making a holy show of yourselves for the world to see.

It is very clear you have no respect for the Chair-----

We have-----

-----none whatsoever. On one hand-----

You will be aware that the public are watching. On one hand, you want this-----

Can you ask the Chief Whip-----

On one hand, you wish the Government to have respect for the Ceann Comhairle's ruling while you yourselves are seemingly incapable-----

-----of accepting.

Deputies, I will not be-----

This is not good enough.

I am going to remain standing until each and every one of you resume your seats.