I am actually disappointed with the acting Leader of the Opposition for raising the matter he raised this morning relating to judges. It is totally-----

I have ruled on that issue.

I am aware of that.

The Senator is not reopening the debate. Does he have a question for the Leader?

Is Senator Colm Burke happy with the sentencing that judges are handing down to perpetrators of child abuse and rape-----

Does Senator Colm Burke have a question for the Leader?

I have a question for the Leader and will deal with it. I think it was a disgraceful comment.

Does the Senator have a question for the Leader?

It was a disgraceful comment. Senator Mark Daly is a disgrace.

Please, Senator.

Senator Mark Daly is an absolute disgrace.

Does the Senator have a question for the Leader?

I am sorry. If Senator Colm Burke is happy with the sentencing, that is fine. My concern is what male judges are handing down to those who committed rape, as we saw this week.

Please, Senator.

There is an appeals process available. Senator Mark Daly does not know the details of how the courts system works.

The perpetrators who are also white and from-----

The Senator does not know how the system works.

"They come from respectable families" - that is what judges say.

Will the Senator respect the Chair?

I will respect the Chair.

"It was out of character" - that is what judges are saying on behalf of the perpetrators before they hand down non-custodial sentences.

Will Senator Colm Burke resume his seat?

Senator Mark Daly has made disgraceful comments.

They think handing over €15,000 is enough.

Is it not Senator Mark Daly who should resume his seat?

Does Senator Colm Burke have a question for the Leader?

I do.

I have a point of order to raise.

What is the Senator's point of order?

I will ask you to rule on it, but I do not believe it is in order for a Member to refer to another Member as a disgrace, which has just happened.

I did not hear that comment.

You did not hear it. Is that so? He said it more than once.

It is on the record and I think he should be asked to withdraw it.

There were two Senators at it.

I accept your difficulty.

Ask him whether he said it and whether he will repeat it.

I accept that Members have been unruly and the Cathaoirleach's difficulty, but the Clerk and others would have heard it and the Cathaoirleach should be advised about what was said.

I have ruled on the issue. I have asked Senator Colm Burke whether he has a question for the Leader.

May I finish? I am asking you to rule that the Member be asked to withdraw the comment. That should not happen in the Chamber.

I did not hear the comment.

Ask him to repeat it, because I am sure he will.

I did not hear the comment, but if the Senator made the comment, I ask him to withdraw it. Now, does Senator Colm Burke have a question for the Leader?

Yes, I do. It relates to-----

I am sorry, a Chathaoirligh, but is the Senator going to withdraw the comment?

I put it to the Senator that if he made the comment, he should withdraw it.

Is he going to withdraw the comment?

On a point of order, a Chathaoirligh, will you ask the Senator whether he made the statement? Let him say whether he made it.

I have ruled on the issue and told the Senator that if he made the comment, which I did not hear, he should withdraw it.

He has not said whether he made it. You might ask him to withdraw it.

Will the Senator, please, resume his seat?

Until the Senator answers the question, we are not going to proceed.

A Chathaoirligh, I have a point of order to raise.

I call on the Leader to reply.

Thank you, a Chathaoirligh-----

I am sorry, a Chathaoirligh, Senator Catherine Noone would like to say something.

I have called on the Leader to reply.

I had indicated that I wished to speak.

I have called on the Leader to reply.

Senator Colm Burke should be afforded an opportunity-----

That is very unfair.

I have ruled on the matter.

I am sorry, but two other Senators would like to speak.

I was here for the start of the Order Business to make a contribution, not to be controversial to make a headline. I want to speak.

I am asking the Leader to reply.

That is very unfair.

If Senator Colm Burke would like to clear the record-----

We are out of time. It may well be unfair, but there was a lot of disorder in the House.

I did not cause it. Senator Colm Burke caused it.

Time is up.

I wanted to sympathise on the death of a colleague.

Will the Senator, please, resume her seat?

It is very unfair.