Committee Reports > List of Committees > Dáil > 1975 > Committee on Procedure and Privileges > Report - Tribunal appointed on 4th July 1975 to inquire into the Allegations made by two Members against the Minister for Local Government in the Dáil

IMEACHTAÍ AN CHOISTE

PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMITTEE

Déardaoin, 4 Nollaig, 1975.

Thursday, 4th December, 1975.

1. The Eighteenth meeting of the Committee took place at 11.30 a.m. in Room 114.

2. The following Members were present:—

The Ceann Comhairle (Chairman), Parliamentary Secretary to the Taoiseach, Deputies Andrews, Carter, Crowley, Barry Desmond, Henry P. Dockrell, Esmonde, Gene Fitzgerald, Harte, Lalor, L’Estrange, Fergus O’Brien, John O’Leary, O’Malley, John J. Ryan, Timmins and Wyse.

3. Privilege (Report of Tribunal appointed on 4th July, 1975, to inquire into the Allegations made by two Members against the Minister for Local Government in the Dáil).

Pursuant to the Order of the Dáil of 26th November, 1975 the Committee took into consideration the Report of the Tribunal appointed by the Taoiseach on the 4th July, 1975, pursuant to Resolution passed on the 3rd July, 1975, by Dáil Éireann and on the 4th July, 1975 by Seanad Éireann.

A Draft Report brought in by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Taoiseach was read as follows:—

The Committee on Procedure and Privileges, having considered the Report dated 31st July, 1975, of the Tribunal appointed on the 4th July, 1975, pursuant to a Resolution passed on the 3rd July, 1975, by Dáil Éireann and on the 4th July, 1975, by Seanad Éireann, and referred to the Committee for consideration and report by Resolution of Dáil Éireann of 26th November, 1975, reports to Dáil Éireann that Deputies Robert Molloy and Brendan Crinion were in grave breach of privilege in making allegations against the Minister for Local Government, Deputy James Tully, in Dáil Éireann on 25th June and 2nd July, 1975.

Amendment proposed (Deputy O’Malley):

“To delete all words after ‘26th November, 1975’ and substitute ‘takes note of the Report’.”

Question:—“That the words proposed to be deleted stand part of the Draft Report”—put: the Committee divided: For, 9; Against, 8.

For:—The Parliamentary Secretary to the Taoiseach, Deputies Barry Desmond, Henry P. Dockrell, Esmonde, Harte, L’Estrange, Fergus O’Brien, John J. Ryan and Timmins.

Against:—Deputies Andrews, Carter, Crowley, Gene Fitzgerald, Lalor, John O’Leary, O’Malley and Wyse.

The Question was declared carried accordingly.

Another amendment proposed (Deputy Lalor):

“To add at the end ‘until their withdrawal of the allegations on 4th July, 1975’.”

Question put: the Committee divided: For, 8; Against, 9.

For:—Deputies Andrews, Carter, Crowley, Gene Fitzgerald, Lalor, John O’Leary, O’Malley and Wyse.

Against:—The Parliamentary Secretary to the Taoiseach, Deputies Barry Desmond, Henry P. Dockrell, Esmonde, Harte, L’Estrange, Fergus O’Brien, John J. Ryan and Timmins.

The Question was declared negatived accordingly.

Another amendment proposed (Deputy Wyse):

“To add the following paragraph:

‘However, in view of the withdrawal of the allegations by the two Deputies on 4th July, 1975, the Committee recommends to the House that no further action be taken in this case’.”

Question put: the Committee divided: For, 8; Against, 9.

For:—Deputies Andrews, Carter, Crowley, Gene Fitzgerald, Lalor, John O’Leary, O’Malley and Wyse.

Against:—The Parliamentary Secretary to the Taoiseach, Deputies Barry Desmond, Henry P. Dockrell, Esmonde, Harte, L’Estrange, Fergus O’Brien, John J. Ryan and Timmins.

The Question was declared negatived accordingly.

Motion made (Parliamentary Secretary to the Taoiseach):

“That the Draft Report be the Report of the Committee.”

Question put: The Committee divided: For, 9; Against, 8.

For:—The Parliamentary Secretary to the Taoiseach, Deputies Barry Desmond, Henry P. Dockrell, Esmonde, Harte, L’Estrange, Fergus O’Brien, John J. Ryan and Timmins.

Against:—Deputies Andrews, Carter, Crowley, Gene Fitzgerald, Lalor, John O’Leary, O’Malley and Wyse.

The Question was declared carried accordingly.

Ordered: To report accordingly.

5. The Committee adjourned at 1.30 p.m.