Ceann Comhairle Seamus Kirk today rejected Opposition assertions that the Dáil’s standing orders could be changed to allow for questions to Taoiseach Brian Cowen.
The Government decided that Dáil business should be restricted to statements on the Ryan report and a debate on legislation.
Mr Kirk insisted that he did not have any discretion on the issue. "As we know, the Government proposes and the House disposes,'' he said.
Mr Kirk adjourned the Dail for 10 minutes when Sinn Féin's Aengus O'Snodaigh continued to insist that the Order of Business be changed to allow for questions.
The Opposition argued, however, that the traditional leaders' questions to the Taoiseach could be allowed under the Dáil's standing orders.
Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny said that standing orders was specific on the issue. It provided that on the commencement of business on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, the Ceann Comhairle could permit, at his or her discretion, a brief question not exceeding two minutes from each leader in the Opposition to the Taoiseach about a matter of public topical importance.
He said he wanted to ask the Taoiseach about a number of issues, including figures released by the HSE on the Friday of a bank holiday weekend, revealing that 188 children died while in the State's care.
Two mothers had spoken on radio earlier, he added, about how their healthy children would not have been born if they had followed the instructions given to them under the HSE system.
Labour leader Eamon Gilmore also referred to various issues which had arisen since the Dail had adjourned on Thursday of last week.
