A Chara, - Your article "Ceann Comhairle suspends Broughan in row over Harney's response to unemployment in Dublin" (October 26th), refers:
The purpose of the Order of Business is for the Taoiseach to inform the House of the business of the day and to seek agreement to the proposed arrangements for its disposal. In addition to questions arising directly from these proposals, Standing Orders allow members to raise matters of business on the Order Paper, promised business, promised legislation, arrangements for sittings and circulation of House documents.
The Chair ensures that matters raised comply with these provisions and it is no reflection by the Chair on the genuine merit of any other matter if it is raised by a member at a time when it does not appropriately arise for consideration.
These are necessary provisions for the orderly conduct of business in the House. The Chair acts on behalf of all members in the interests of ensuring that proper order is maintained and, as such, neither acts alone (in so far as a decision of the House is required for the suspension of a member) nor in an arbitrary fashion.
Furthermore, the Chair applies uniform standards in dealing with all instances of disorderly conduct and will frequently urge a member to resume their seat and desist from interrupting before ordering him or her to leave the House.
Moreover, it should be noted that a member is never requested to leave or be suspended in respect of the issue he is seeking to raise but rather because he refuses to comply with the Cean Comhairle's ruling (as set out in the Standing Orders) to resume his seat.
Indeed it is the members of Dβil ╔ireann who have put this procedure in place to ensure the orderly conduct of debate and the smooth and uninterrupted transaction of business in the chamber. - Is mise le meas,
Verona N∅ Bhroinn, Public Relations Officer, Houses of the Oireachtas, Leinster House, Dublin 2.