Committee Reports > List of Committees > Dáil > 1975 > Committee on Procedure and Privileges > Report - Allegations made by two Members against the Minister for Local Government in the Dáil

REPORT

1. The Committee on Procedure and Privileges met on 2nd and 3rd of July, 1975 to consider at the request of the Ceann Comhairle certain allegations made by Deputies Brendan Crinion and Robert Molloy and a personal explanation made by the Minister for Local Government, Deputy James Tully, in Dail Eireann on Wednesday, 2nd July.

2. The Committee rejected by a majority decision a proposal to recommend to the House that there should be a Garda enquiry into these allegations, the majority view being that the allegations were not properly the subject for such an enquiry.

3. The Committee resolved by a majority decision to investigate the allegations made against the Minister by Deputies Crinion and Molloy to determine whether either Deputy or both Deputies had been guilty of a breach of privilege.

4. The Committee decided to invite Deputies Crinion and Molloy and the Minister to appear before the Committee on 3rd July to discuss the allegations.

5. Deputies Crinion and Molloy enquired of the Chairman if all the proceedings of the Committee were privileged, and on being informed by the Chairman that there was some doubt as to privilege, both Deputies refused to make any statement. The Minister categorically denied the allegations made against him by the two Deputies.

6. In view of the refusal of Deputies Crinion and Molloy to make any statement, the Committee is of the opinion that it is unable properly to investigate the matter before it.

7. The Committee was shown a telegram received by the Ceann Comhairle from the legal representatives of a builder, a copy of which is appended to this Report.

(Signed) SEÁN TREACY,

Chairman.

3rd July, 1975.