Tá dhá rud le rá agam. Ar dtús, meabhraím do gach duine a fón a chur ina dtost. An dara rud ná ráiteas atá le déanamh agam. Iarraim ar Chomhaltaí a bheith foighneach ar feadh nóiméid.
Sula leanfaimid ar aghaidh, is mian liom a dheimhniú, mar eolas do Theachtaí, go bhfuil scríofa agam chuig an Teachta Marc Mac Searraigh i ndáil leis an ionsaí éagórach gan bhunús a rinne sé ar m'ionracas mar Chathaoirleach i ndeireadh na gCeisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht Dé Céadaoin seo caite. An lá sin, chuir an Teachta Mac Searraigh i mo leith go raibh mé idirdhealaitheach sa tslí ar chaith mé leis siúd agus le Teachta eile. Nuair a rialaigh mé go raibh an Teachta Mac Searraigh as ord agus gur cheart dó suí síos, dhiúltaigh an Teachta Mac Searraigh a dhéanamh amhlaidh, rud a d’fhág gurbh éigean dom an suí a chur ar fionraí. Ní mór dom a chur i gcuimhne do Theachtaí go bhfuil sé mí-ordúil do Theachta diúltú rialú ón gCathaoir a chomhlíonadh. Ina theannta sin, cuirtear i gcoinne ionracas an Chathaoirligh le haon tátal a bhaintear nach bhfuil an Cathaoirleach cothrom agus neamhchlaonta sa tslí ina gcaitheann sé nó sí - mise, sa chás seo - le Teachtaí. Dá réir sin, mar eolas do Theachtaí, tá comhfhreagras chuige sin curtha chuig an Teachta Mac Searraigh.
Before we continue, for the information of Members, I wish to confirm that I have written to Deputy Marc MacSharry in relation to his unjustifiable and unfair attack on my integrity as Chair at the end of Questions on Policy or Legislation last Wednesday. On that day, Deputy MacSharry alleged that I was discriminatory in my treatment not only of him, but also other Members. I am particularly conscious that on the day I was elected, I declared solemnly that I would be fair and just.
When I ruled that Deputy MacSharry was out of order and that he should resume his seat, he refused to do so, thereby forcing me to suspend the sitting. I must remind Members that it is disorderly for a Deputy to refuse to comply with the ruling of the Chair. Also, the integrity of the Chair is impugned by any inference that the Chair is not fair and impartial in the treatment of Members. Accordingly, for the information of Members, correspondence has been sent to Deputy MacSharry to this effect.
Go raibh míle maith agaibh as ucht bhur bhfoighne.