INDEPENDENT TD PETER Mathews was ordered out of the Dáil chamber earlier after clashing with Ceann Comhairle Seán Barrett.
The former Fine Gael deputy was attempting to raise a number of issues on the Order of Business, including Bank of Ireland’s restrictions on over-the-counter lodgements.
This prompted a swift intervention from Barrett who told Mathews in no uncertain terms:
Now deputy, what you want and what you can get are two different things, you understand. There’s a thing called order in the House.
There was some amusement on the government benches as the row unfolded:
Barrett told Mathews to ask only about promised legislation. But soon the deputy tried to raise the IBRC loans controversy and comments by the bank’s former chair Alan Dukes yesterday.
The Ceann Comhairle became increasingly incensed but, undeterred, Mathews continued to speak. At one point he even raised the death of Savita Halapannavar, but much of it was inaudible as his mic was switched off.
Barrett repeatedly ordered him out of the chamber threatening to hold a vote on his expulsion if he didn’t leave.
Eventually, Mathews relented and left in an orderly fashion.
On the way out, Barrett had some school-like punishment for Mathews, telling him to read the Dáil rules for the rest of the day:
Would you get a copy of the standing orders on the way out and read them for the afternoon.
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