Committee Reports > List of Committees > Dáil > 1971 > Committee of Public Accounts > Final Report - Northern Ireland Relief Expenditure

IMEACHTAÍ AN CHOISTE

PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMITTEE

Dé Céadaoin, 3 Samhain, 1971.

Wednesday, 3 November, 1971.

1. The Committee met at 4 p.m.

2. Members Present.

The following members were present:—

Deputy Patrick Hogan (in the Chair), Deputies R. Burke, E. Collins, Dowling, MacSharry, Nolan and Tunney.

3. The Committee went into public session.

4. Mr. T. Smyth B. L. and Mr. M. E. Marren, solicitor were in attendance during the public session, as advisors to the Committee.

5. Witnesses Examined.

Detective Sergeant Donald MacDonald was sworn and examined.

6. Detective Sergeant MacDonald withdrew.

7. Mr. P. Sutherland B.L. (accompanied by Mrs. Moynihan, solicitor) cross-examined Chief Superintendent John P. Fleming on behalf of Captain James J. Kelly, the latter being in attendance.

8. Mr. Sutherland, Mrs. Moynihan and Captain Kelly withdrew.

9. Examination of Chief Superintendent John P. Fleming was resumed.

10. Chief Superintendent Fleming withdrew.

11. The Committee went into private session.

12. The Committee considered Colonel Hefferon’s letter* of 25 October 1971 in relation to previous evidence.

Ordered: that Colonel Hefferon* be informed that the Committee would hear him in public session on the matter on Tuesday next.

13. The Committee considered Colonel Hefferon’s request to the Secretary for a copy of the note handed in by the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries during his evidence on 22 April 1971 at question number 11402.

Ordered: that the Minister be asked if he had any objection to Colonel Hefferon’s request being acceded to.

14. Resolved: that it be recommended to Members of the Committee that they not participate in the Dáil debate on the motion relating to the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries, provided that a member who considered it necessary to participate should consult beforehand with the Chairman.

15. The Committee were informed by the Secretary that he had been unable to contact Mr. F but that he had spoken to Mr. H on the question of the release of his evidence to a witness and possible cross-examination. Mr. H had stated that he would telephone on these matters within a few days.

16. Resolved: to grant a request by Chief Superintendent Fleming, made during his cross-examination by Captain Kelly to cross-examine Captain Kelly and to summon Captain Kelly to attend for that purpose on Tuesday next.

17. Adjournment.

The Committee adjourned at 6.45 p.m. until 4 p.m. on Tuesday next.

* Appendix 4 (13).