I wish to raise the issue of double standards in the House. If a Member is absent from the House, can I not mention his name?

No.

I refer to Senator Leyden's absence yesterday. In that case, am I not allowed to mention his name?

No.

Why would anybody want to?

I understand there is precedent that an absent Member's name is not mentioned.

That is interesting. Yesterday, when I was absent from the House, Senator Leyden came in and mentioned my name. When I came in here to refute what he said-----

Take it outside.

-----I was ruled out of order. Again this morning, Senator Leyden came in here, in my absence, and raised my name. I ask the Acting Chairman to explain the matter.

This is not a matter for the Order of Business.

My query is about standards in this House.

Does the Senator have a question?

It is about stupidity.

Pistols at dawn.

I would prefer a sword fight.

I cannot allow constituency rivalries to take over business this morning.

Senator Leyden has a habit of coming in here to make his speech and then running out the door. Perhaps he is auditioning for a television drama.

On a point of order, the Senator has abused his position by what he has said. Unless he has something to say that is relevant to the Order of Business then he should sit down.

That is not a point of order.

Senator Kelly keeps referring-----

I will make a ruling.

The Acting Chairman must extend protection to Members around here.

One does not have to outline what is relevant and what is not relevant.

I have a right to get clarity on this issue for the future, because every time I am absent Senator Leyden mentions my name and every time I mention his name I am ruled out of order.

The Senators should stop upsetting each other.

We are dealing with today's Order of Business. I ask the Senator to stick to the Order of Business, please.

I did not refer to Senator Kelly.

I still have not got clarity from the House as to what happens in the future should Senator Leyden mention my name again.

What will happen is that the Senator will be ruled out of order.

I shall address my comment to the Visitors Gallery. The visitors have seen an example of why we should have more women in politics.

Take it outside.

I ask all Senators to resume their seats.

I did not mention the fact that Senator Kelly was not here this morning.

I shall not allow this matter to be an issue on the Order of Business.

Exactly.

The ruling is quite clear that it is not in order to refer to the absence of a Senator.

Maybe I am being unfair on the Acting Chairman, because it was the Cathaoirleach who was in the Chair when all of this happened. I will raise the matter with him on another day.