Deputy Heather Humphreys, as Minister, is apparently prohibited by Fine Gael rules from telling us who tipped her the wink to appoint Mr. McNulty to the IMMA board. Square that with freedom of information legislation. There is nothing to impede Mr. McNulty's withdrawal from the election. I will look with great interest at the result of the election. The longer this issue goes on, the worse it gets. This week, some 60 political appointments to the Judiciary are being made. Let us look at that issue, too.

In regard to standards in public office, I find it astonishing that the President, Michael D. Higgins, should be denied the opportunity to visit and take questions in an asylum centre in Athlone.

That is not relevant to the Order of Business.

He was denied by a discredited Department of Justice and Equality and the commercially motivated sponsors of the asylum centre, who take the responsibility. They took onto themselves the right to refuse the President of Ireland - some standards to have in public life.