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Seanad
‹ Order of Business

PRSI debate and chair dispute

Summary

A long procedural clash followed over Boyhan’s attempt to pursue his PRSI point while referring to the Chair’s article. The Chair ruled the comments out of order, Boyhan objected and threatened to contact councillors, and the exchange ended with an assurance that the matter could be discussed later.

Paul Coghlan An Leas-Chathaoirleach Fine Gael

Letters are not relevant on the Order of Business. The Chair cannot be brought into a discussion on the Order of Business but the Senator may take up the matter with me later in my office.

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No. There will be no analysis. I have the floor and I want to speak. The Leas-Chathaoirleach does not even know what I am saying. He is shutting me down before I have even opened my mouth. This is democracy.

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Paul Coghlan An Leas-Chathaoirleach Fine Gael

You are referring-----

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This is the Seanad Chamber. Allow me to make a case.

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Paul Coghlan An Leas-Chathaoirleach Fine Gael

Sorry, Senator. You were referring to the occupant of the Chair. That is not allowed on the Order of Business. I may have mistakenly given latitude in the past to someone else, as the leader of his group, but as they say, we are where we are.

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In light of that, I will take my seat-----

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Paul Coghlan An Leas-Chathaoirleach Fine Gael

You do not have to do that.

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-----and I will e-mail the Leas-Chathaoirleach's article regarding PRSI to the 900 councillors within ten minutes of leaving this Chamber. The Leas-Chathaoirleach should not nod his head because he might need a reminder. He seems to be forgetting-----

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Paul Coghlan An Leas-Chathaoirleach Fine Gael

With respect, I do not think the Senator should raise this matter on the Order of Business.

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The Leas-Chathaoirleach did not know what the matter related to until I shared it with him. I will take my seat. I will communicate with the 900 councillors-----

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Paul Coghlan An Leas-Chathaoirleach Fine Gael

We will discuss it later.

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I call for a debate about PRSI.

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Paul Coghlan An Leas-Chathaoirleach Fine Gael

Of course, and the Senator is entitled to call for a debate.

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-----but I will webcast the councillors within five minutes of leaving this Chamber with the clip of his engagement with-----

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Paul Coghlan An Leas-Chathaoirleach Fine Gael

With respect, it is not relevant to the Order of Business.

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It was okay for the Leas-Chathaoirleach to e-mail them.

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Paul Coghlan An Leas-Chathaoirleach Fine Gael

What we do outside this House has nothing to do with the Order of Business.

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I will take my seat. I am not a fool, and the Leas-Chathaoirleach is not fooling me.

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Paul Coghlan An Leas-Chathaoirleach Fine Gael

I am not trying to fool you, Senator.

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