![]() ![]() |
A point of order is an intervention by a Member who believes that the rules or customary procedures of the House have been incorrectly applied or overlooked during the proceedings. Members may rise on points of order to bring to the attention of the Chair any breach of the relevance or repetition rules, unparliamentary remarks, or a lack of quorum.[263] They are able to do so at virtually any time in the proceedings, provided that the point of order is raised and concisely argued[264] as soon as the irregularity occurs.[265] Points of order respecting procedure must be raised promptly and before the question has passed to a stage at which the objection would be out of place. As a point of order concerns the interpretation of the rules of procedure, it is the responsibility of the Speaker to determine its merits and to resolve the issue.[266] Although Members frequently rise claiming a point of order, genuine points of order rarely occur. Indeed, points of order are often used by Members in attempts to gain the floor to participate in debate; in such cases, the Speaker will not allow the Member intervening to continue.[267] One point of order must be disposed of before another one is raised. Should a point of order be raised during consideration of a question of privilege, the point of order will usually be given precedence until the Chair has determined whether or not a rule has been breached and the matter settled.[268] The Speaker has, on occasion, refused to hear a point of order during the consideration of a question of privilege.[269] The necessity to control disorder either on the floor or in the galleries would oblige the Speaker to put aside a point of order temporarily.
|
![]() ![]() ![]() |