Plenary, 28 Apr 2005

Meeting date: Thursday, April 28, 2005

Official Report 744KB pdf

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Presiding Officer's Ruling

I have reflected on the points of order that were raised during First Minister's questions today. Standing orders are clear. Under rule 8.17.2, points of order take precedence over the question that is under consideration. However, members will be aware that my predecessor and I have tried to protect the flow of First Minister's questions by taking—with the consent of the members concerned—any points of order that arise during those proceedings at the end.

I make it clear that it impacts badly on what should be the key scrutiny point of the week if members seek to interrupt proceedings with points of order that can wait until the end of proceedings. I will therefore continue to seek members' consent to defer such points unless I am of the view that a matter needs to be disposed of as it arises.

I may pre-empt any comment by Ms Leckie by saying that I strive continually to deal with matters fairly and consistently and that I shall continue so to do.

On a point of order, Presiding Officer. You have acknowledged that when a member makes a point of order, business should stop for it. I agree with your citing of rule 8.17. In retrospect, do you acknowledge that the first time I was asked to leave the chamber, I merely asked to make a point of order? Just as you asked Pauline McNeill whether she would press her point, you should have asked that of me, rather than asking me to leave the chamber. Will you acknowledge that that was inconsistent?

I never enjoy going over past history. Disrespect to Parliament is a different matter. When members give a refusal, that becomes discourtesy. On the occasion to which you refer, you displayed discourtesy in the chamber by continuing to speak, which was ruled out of order. You compounded matters by refusing to apologise.