I received a communication from the Leas-Chathaoirleach today by e-mail in which he stated that-----

That relates to a Commencement matter. It is not relevant to the Order of Business.

Why would the Leas-Chathaoirleach rule this Commencement matter out of order?

If the Senator wishes to question me on that, he can discuss it with me in the office afterwards.

I do not have the time to go to the Leas-Chathaoirleach's office.

That is a decision that was made for correct reasons.

I have given careful-----

I am not worried about what careful consideration the Senator has given the matter.

That is what the Leas-Chathaoirleach said. He said that he had given very careful consideration to-----

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

The Leas-Chathaoirleach said he had given very careful consideration but I want to tell him that the same issue was taken last Thursday when the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment sent a Minister of State here to answer the question. Why was it accepted last Thursday by the Cathaoirleach-----

I gather that the Minister of State was here and Senator Leyden walked out. I am not going into that now.

The Cathaoirleach granted-----

Senator Leyden was out of order.

No, the Minister was out of order. The Minister should come into the Chamber to answer a Commencement matter which is within his Department's remit.

The Senator is out of order.

The appropriate Minister was here on the particular date to which the Senator referred. However, the Senator walked out.

I put a question to the Minister, Deputy Denis Naughten, on the height of wind turbines.

That is not within his area of responsibility. The Senator is out of order.

You are not in a position to rule on this, a Leas-Chathaoirligh.

I am in a position.

Just because-----

You can be blinking well sure that I am and I have.

The Minister spoke four weeks ago at a public meeting in Castlecoote, County Roscommon, at which he said he was working out the rules.

Senator Leyden is out of order.

He was actually studying the guidelines.

Will Senator Leyden show respect to the Chair?

The Senator should resume his seat.

I respect the Chair. However, the Chairmen cannot respect each other. One Chairman ruled the matter was in order last Thursday.

The Senator is out of order. He should resume his seat immediately and obey the Chair. He can discuss this matter with me, if he so wishes, in my office.

You are in a fighting mood, a Leas-Chathaoirligh.

I call Senator Conway.

I will not let the Minister get away with this.

You can discuss that with me afterwards.

No. I will discuss it with the Minister.