Committee Reports > List of Committees > Dáil > 1976 > Committee on Procedure and Privileges > Report - Statement made by Deputy Crowley in the Dáil on 3rd March 1976 in relation to the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs

IMEACHTAÍ AN CHOISTE

PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMITTEE

Déardaoin, 13 Bealtaine, 1976.

Thursday, 13th May, 1976.

1. The Twenty Second 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. Complaint by Minister for Posts and Telegraphs, Deputy Conor CruiseO’Brien, with regard to Statement made by a Member in the Dáil on 3rd March, 1976.

The Committee again resumed consideration of the complaint made by the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs, Deputy Conor Cruise-O’Brien, with regard to a statement made by Deputy Crowley in the Dáil on 3rd March, 1976.

The Committee deliberated.

Motion made (Parliamentary Secretary to the Taoiseach):

“That this Committee find that Deputy Flor Crowley was in breach of the privilege of Dáil Éireann by reason of his personal allegations made against the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs, Deputy Conor Cruise-O’Brien, in the Dáil on 3rd March, 1976.”

Amendment proposed (Deputy O’Malley):

“To delete all words after ‘Committee’ and substitute ‘notes the complaint’.”

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:—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 O’Malley):

“To delete all words after ‘Committee’ and substitute ‘finds that this is a matter which need not have been referred to it’.”

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:—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 O’Malley):

“To delete all words after ‘Committee’ and substitute ‘finds that the allegation made was in the nature of a political charge’.”

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:—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 O’Malley):

“To add to the motion:

‘This Committee was not convened to investigate the truth or otherwise of the allegations but to consider the question of Deputy Crowley’s non-withdrawal of same’.”

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:—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.

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

For:—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.

7. The Committee adjourned at 2.15 p.m.