This is not the first time-----

Some of us have been here since the beginning of the Order of Business to facilitate a quorum, and have been here since half past the hour, and we were not able to get in. I do not know how the system is operated. I am not having a row with the Cathaoirleach, but there is apartheid against some of us in respect of the operation of procedure, which is grossly unfair.

I have been here since 10.30 a.m. and-----

-----and I raised my hand at 10.30 a.m. to speak. I am not having a row with the Cathaoirleach, but there needs to be an element of fairness in the allocation of speaking time. I will raise the issue again when I get to speak. I would like to make the point that it is not personal.

Well I have been here since 10.30 a.m.-----

I withdraw the remark.

On a point of order, that does not apply. That does not apply to all the ways we operate in this House. On the issue of list to which the Cathaoirleach is referring regarding the Order of Business and other debates, whether they concern legislation, or statements, there is no uniformity of application from the Cathaoirleach regarding the names that are submitted. That is the point that I am making. I am not having a row with the Cathaoirleach, and I apologise if he has taken it personally, because it was not meant …

Okay.

I am not referring just to the Order of Business, a Chathaoirligh. It is frustrating and annoying to many of us who are trying our best to make contributions to business and statements of the House, that we cannot get in.

I appreciate that.

I was not referring-----

A Chathaoirligh-----

Sure, absolutely.

That is not my point, a Chathaoirligh. I have no issue with that. I accept that-----

Yes, but I am making-----

But, a Chathaoirligh, you are the custodian of the position of Cathaoirleach, and there is an element of unfairness, however it happens, where Members cannot make a contribution to debates on legislation but predominantly on statements. If we go back to last week, some of us had to either share a minute and a half or two minutes each, or we could not get in at all.

I appreciate the element of Covid-19, but Senator Boyhan's fundamental point is right. We are the Upper House of a Parliament and we need to look at how we can ensure that the way we do business is changed to adopt to the new way of doing things in a Covid-19 world, but it is unfair. I am sorry that I am aggrieved about it. Many of us are trying to make an effort to contribute and we cannot get in. That is the point I am making.

I apologise if you think I am having a go at you, a Chathaoirligh. I am not having a go at you at all. It is the system I am having a go at.

You are missing the point.

Yes.