I believe nominations for the Seanad by-election close tomorrow. Serious questions arise about the bona fides of one candidate, the candidate being nominated by the Labour Party.

That is not a matter for the House.

On a point of order-----

I am sorry; I believe I have the floor. I am not about to name anybody and I would appreciate it if Senator Ivana Bacik took her chair.

Senator Fidelma Healy Eames to continue without interruption. The matter is not relevant to the Order of Business.

I was raising a point of order.

What is the point of order?

I am raising a point of order because I believe the practice is that we do not identify people-----

Did the Senator hear me identify anybody?

-----and even without naming a person, he or she may be identifiable.

That is not a point of order.

The defensiveness of the Labour Party on this issue is telling in and of itself. I have one question. I was inclined to vote for the candidate, but now I have questions.

That is not a matter for the Order of Business.

Hold on one minute - what happens in this House is a matter for the Order of Business.

What happens in the House is, not candidates.

The people who take seats in the House matter. Their bona fides matter.

There is legislation which deals with all of these issues.

We have serious questions about one candidate's character and her previous associations.

There is legislation which deals with all electoral issues.

I am only asking the question. Perhaps the person is being done down.

The Senator should solve her own problems.

It is not a matter for the Order of Business. Does the Senator have a question for the Leader besides this issue?

I have a question. I ask the Deputy Leader to clarify the bona fides of the candidate in relation to previous associations.

That is not a matter for the Order of Business.

On a point of order-----

Will the Senator please resume her seat?

The Cathaoirleach has ruled that the matter is not in order.

It is not in order. Does Senator Fidelma Healy Eames have a question for the Leader, other than on what she is speaking about?

I do. Honestly, I really think it is absolutely appalling that Senator Ivana Bacik thinks she can rule over this House whenever she wishes.

On a point of order-----

What is the Senator's point of order?

My point of order is that it is not up to me or anyone else in the House to clarify the bona fides of anyone else. The Cathaoirleach has ruled that the matter is out of order.

I have ruled on the issue. Will the Senator, please, resume her seat? Does Senator Fidelma Healy Eames have a question for the Leader? She is out of time.

Yes, indeed I do.

Let us hear it.