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, 30 Meitheamh, 1971.

Wednesday, 30 June, 1971.

18. Chruinnigh an Coiste arís ar 12.30 a.m.

19. Ordaíodh: go ndéanfadh an Cathaoirleach an ráiteas seo a leanas anois i suí poiblí:—

“During its meeting which began at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, 29th June the Committee considered the following motion proposed by Deputy G. FitzGerald:—

‘That Mr. John Kelly and Mr. Páraic Haughey be summoned at the earliest date to give evidence, and that if they fail to attend or refuse to answer relevant questions legally required to be answered, an interim report be made to the Dáil seeking substitute legislation.’

This motion was voted on as follows:—

For: Deputies R. Burke, E. Collins, P. Hogan (Chairman) and J. Keating.

Against: Deputies S. Barrett, H. Gibbons, R. MacSharry and T. Nolan.

In accordance with the provisions of Standing Order 72, there being an equality of votes, the Question was decided in the negative.

A motion was then proposed by Deputy R. Burke as follows:—

“That the draft interim report put forward by Deputy R. Burke be adopted, the report being:

[See text in paragraph 10]

This motion was voted on as follows:—

For: Deputies R. Burke, E. Collins, P. Hogan (Chairman) and J. Keating.

Against: Deputies S. Barrett, H. Gibbons, R. MacSharry and T. Nolan.

In accordance with the provisions of Standing Order 72, there being an equality of votes, the Question was decided in the negative.

The Committee then decided that Mr. John Kelly and Mr. Paraic Haughey be summoned to attend before the Committee on next Tuesday, 6th July.

The Committee took into consideration the statements in the recent judgement of the Supreme Court in relation to legal representation. They decided to rescind Procedure (iii) of the procedures set out in Appendix 3 of the Interim Report of 15th December, 1970 and to adopt the following procedure:

‘The Committee allows witnesses to be accompanied by counsel, solicitors, or advisors. A witness who states to the Committee that his conduct has been impugned as part of the subject matter of the examination may apply to the Committee to be allowed the right to have his counsel cross-examine the accuser and to address the Committee.’

The Committee decided that where a witness intends to avail himself of the above-mentioned procedure, he should be asked to give 24 hours notice to the Committee of such intention. The Committee further decided to engage counsel where the circumstances warranted it.”

20. Chuaigh an Coiste i suí poiblí.

21. Rinne an Cathaoirleach an ráiteas ar ar chinn an Coiste ag an gcruinniú seo.

22. Rinne an Teachta Mac Gearailt ráiteas, le cead ón gCoiste, á rá nár chaith sé vóta sa dá vótáil a rinneadh ag an gcruinniú seo mar gheall ar chomhaontú an 9 Márta seo caite nach gcaithfeadh sé vóta, i gcás vótáil a bheith ann, d’fhonn cothrom a choinneáil i leith an Teachta Brioscú a bheith as láthair ach, ó bhí breith na Cúirte Uachtaraí tugtha anois, nárbh ann a thuilleadh do na himthosca ónar thig an comhaontú sin, agus go mbeadh saoirse aige a vóta a chaitheamh in aon vótáil feasta.

23. Athlá.

Chuaigh an Coiste ar athló ar 12.55 a.m. go dtí 4 p.m. inniu.