No Ellis request to make statement

Mr John Ellis (FF, Sligo-Leitrim) has made no request to make a personal statement to the Dail following his resignation as chairman of the agriculture committee, the House was told.

hen the Labour leader, Mr Ruairi Quinn, asked if there would be a statement, he was ruled out of order by the Leas Cheann Comhairle, Dr Rory O'Hanlon, who said a personal statement was a matter for the member of the House concerned. A member wishing to make a personal statement could contact the office of the Ceann Comhairle.

Mr Quinn suggested there was a conflict of interest between Dr O'Hanlon's position as chairman of the Fianna Fail parliamentary party and his role as Leas Cheann Comhairle. Dr O'Hanlon said he resented the remark, adding: "The Chair is absolutely impartial and continues to be impartial."

When Mr Quinn persisted, Dr O'Hanlon said that the Chair had no notice of such a statement. Amid heated exchanges, Mr Quinn asked if the Taoiseach proposed to make a statement.

Mr Ahern said he would not be making a statement, other than to thank Mr Ellis for his contribution to the agriculture committee. "He has been an excellent contributor on agricultural and other matters. I thank him for that." He added that a member of Fianna Fail would be appointed to the committee, and a chairman elected, to replace Mr Ellis.

The matter was first raised, on the Order of Business, by Mrs Nora Owen, who asked if Mr Ahern felt "morally responsible" to repay the £25,000 in taxpayers' money which had been given to Mr Ellis to repay his debts. She was ruled out of order.