Yes, it won two awards, including the overall award, which is important.

There have been proposals. Senator Craughwell has proposed an amendment to the Order of Business: "To provide that a debate with the Taoiseach on the reasons the report of the Public Service Pay Commission has not been released will be taken today." Is the amendment being pressed?

Of course I want to press the amendment but I have been placed in a most awkward position. I have just been told by the Deputy Leader, whose word I accept, that the Taoiseach has had a bereavement and cannot come to the House. Three minutes ago, however, I could see on a television screen the Taoiseach answering questions in the Dáil.

He may well be-----

I am constantly being pushed off-----

I will not allow another speech.

This is not bloody well good enough.

The Senator may either pull the trigger and push the amendment, or sit down.

Should I pull the trigger at this stage and find I do not win because the two main parties in the House-----

The Senator can always raise the matter again next week.

We will raise it the following week, the week after that and the week after that. The Government has put the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces-----

I take it the Senator is not pushing the amendment.

-----in the most horrible position. The Government has undermined the Chief of Staff's position in the country.

This is just not on.

The question has been defeated.

I will call a vote on it.

The Senator had his chance and he did not take it.

This is not on. You are a most decent man, a Chathaoirligh, but this is not on.

I asked whether the Senator was pushing the amendment.

I was explaining my position.

The Senator should not begin a spiel or we will have to suspend the House for an hour. I have been tolerant. Is the Senator pushing the amendment or not?

Will the Cathaoirleach let me explain my position, please?

There will be no explanation. The question has been put.

This is grossly unfair.

I will disallow the amendment and move on otherwise.

It is grossly unfair.

The Senator is only looking for headlines.

No, it is damned unfair. The Government the Senator supports has put the Chief of Staff in the most horrible position.

Amendment No. 2, in the name of Senator-----

The Government has undermined the Chief of Staff.

What does the Senator hope to gain?

I hope to get the Defence Forces' self-esteem back.

The Senator is looking for headlines.