TDs get tunnel vision over Callely’s latest stunt

ENTERPRISE Minister Micheál Martin reached for the consumer vote in Government Buildings yesterday when abolishing the Groceries Order.

Back in the Dáil, Opposition TDs were hoping a few more orders could be abolished. Particularly Standing Order Number 33, which, as the Ceann Comhairle reminded Green Party leader Trevor Sargent, reads: “Questions addressed to a member of the Government must relate to the public affairs connected to his or her department or to matters of administration for which he or she is officially responsible.”

For that reason, Trevor couldn’t ask Taoiseach Bertie Ahern a certain question. Not good enough, said Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny. The Taoiseach is responsible for the entire Government, meaning he should be able to answer questions on any matter of public importance. But the Ceann Comhairle was not going there. The questions simply did not arise on the Order of Business, he said, and so they remained unanswered.