§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILL () Donegal, S.addressing the Speaker, said he had seen the hon. Member for North Monaghan remove a name card from a seat which had been appropriated for another Member before prayers. He should not have called attention to the matter, only he heard the hon. Member for North Monaghan say to the hon. Member as he was passing—
§ MR. SPEAKEROrder, order! These little private matters are not in order The hon. Member has asked me about a point of practice in the House. The practice is that in order to keep a seat the hon. Member himself must be present at prayers. That is quite clear. If the hon. Member has not been present at prayers the card is not effective.
§ MR. T. M. HEALY () Louth, N.This is the most shameful incident that any Irish Member has ever introduced.
§ DR. THOMPSON () Monaghan, N.Allow me to say that I would be the last person to take any advantage of a rule that was not a right one, and if I did err I am very sorry indeed for it.