The Fine Gael spokesman on agriculture, Mr Paul Connaughton, was ordered from the House in a row following his demand for an emergency debate on cattle prices. When he was ruled out of order, Mr Connaughton continued to speak, saying the issue was the most important in rural Ireland. He refused to resume his seat. The Leas Cheann Comhairle, Dr Rory O'Hanlon, then ordered him to leave the House and suspended proceedings for five minutes. Mr Andrew Boylan (FG, Cavan-Monaghan) said there were families starving in rural Ireland. Asking the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, to agree to the debate, he said: "I am appealing to your rural background, Taoiseach."