We use Google Analytics to see which pages are read and how the site is used, so we know what to improve. This only runs if you accept. See our privacy notice for details.

Dáil

Suspension of Member.

A Cheann Comhairle, I gave notice——

Comment on this
Cormac Breslin An Ceann Comhairle Fianna Fáil

I shall not hear the Deputy: I shall hear the Leas-Cheann Comhairle.

Comment on this

I am informed that you disallowed my Private Notice Question——

Comment on this
Cormac Breslin An Ceann Comhairle Fianna Fáil

Would the Deputy please resume his seat? The Deputy is most disorderly.

Comment on this

I am going to put my point of view and the point of view——

Comment on this
Cormac Breslin An Ceann Comhairle Fianna Fáil

In view of the Deputy's attitude, I am naming Deputy Cott—I beg your pardon, Deputy Fox.

Comment on this
John Lynch The Taoiseach Fianna Fáil

I move:

That Deputy Fox be suspended from the service of the Dáil.

Comment on this
Cormac Breslin An Ceann Comhairle Fianna Fáil

I am putting the question:

"That Deputy Fox be suspended from the service of the Dáil."

Comment on this
Cormac Breslin An Ceann Comhairle Fianna Fáil

Deputy Fox will please leave the House.

Comment on this

The Taoiseach did not stand up to move the motion——

Comment on this
Cormac Breslin An Ceann Comhairle Fianna Fáil

The Taoiseach moved the motion.

Comment on this
Luke Belton Mr. L. Belton Fine Gael

How is it that on the previous occasion the Ceann Comhairle adjourned the House?

Comment on this

The Ceann Comhairle can name me if it suits him——

Comment on this
Cormac Breslin An Ceann Comhairle Fianna Fáil

Will the Captain please escort Deputy Fox from the Chamber?

Comment on this

I have no intention of leaving the House——

Comment on this

Surely the Captain cannot be called to remove the Deputy unless there is a Vote of the House?

Comment on this
Cormac Breslin An Ceann Comhairle Fianna Fáil

I put the question.

Comment on this

I want to know who informed the Ceann Comhairle that this incident took place in the North of Ireland because there is the photograph in the Irish Press showing where the CS gas emerged from.

Comment on this
Cormac Breslin An Ceann Comhairle Fianna Fáil

The Dáil is adjourned until 5 p.m.

Business suspended at 4.40 and resumed at 5 p.m.

Comment on this
Denis F. Jones An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Fine Gael

Private Notice Question. Deputy Clinton.

Comment on this

On a point of order, with regard to the incident which led to adjournment of the House, would the Leas-Cheann Comhairle please inform the House who named Deputy Fox?

Comment on this
Denis F. Jones An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Fine Gael

The Taoiseach.

Comment on this

On a point of order, may I point out that the Taoiseach was not in order in naming Deputy Fox as he did not move——

Comment on this
Denis F. Jones An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Fine Gael

The Taoiseach moved the suspension——

Comment on this

That is not in accordance with Standing Orders. Standing Order No. 37 states that a Member desiring to speak shall rise in his place. At no time did the Taoiseach rise in his place.

Comment on this

On a point of order, surely if a Member is being suspended it should be done by a vote of the House? I understand the position now is that Deputy Fox is being physically stopped from coming into the House, although no vote was taken.

Comment on this
Denis F. Jones An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Fine Gael

The motion was put and it was carried. It was not dissented from. I have called Deputy Clinton.

Comment on this

There is a matter of some importance involved here. I observed that Deputy Fox, wishing to enter this House, was restrained by uniformed members of the force in this House. The ordinary procedure here for the naming of a Deputy is for the Taoiseach, who takes the responsibility for the member of the House concerned, to stand up and do so. This is of the utmost importance to the control of procedure in this House because sometimes it may happen that a Member of the Government alleged to have named a Deputy does so sotto voce so that he is not appearing to do anything and appears to be sitting idly by. In the circumstances this is precisely what happened.

Comment on this
Denis F. Jones An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Fine Gael

I have called Deputy Clinton.

Comment on this

On a point of order, is the Taoiseach entitled to attack a Deputy——

Comment on this
Denis F. Jones An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Fine Gael

Order. Will Deputy L'Estrange please resume his seat?

Comment on this

Is the Chair aware that the Taoiseach attacked Deputy Fox in the corridor——

Comment on this
Denis F. Jones An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Fine Gael

The Chair is not so aware. Will the Deputy please resume his seat.

Comment on this

Is the Taoiseach entitled to attack a Deputy leaving this House?

Comment on this
John Lynch The Taoiseach Fianna Fáil

I attacked no Deputy.

Comment on this

The Taoiseach did attack a Deputy. He roared at him outside——

Comment on this
John Lynch The Taoiseach Fianna Fáil

I said you were all getting on the band wagon and that is so.

Comment on this

I raised a point of order as to whether a Member can move a motion while remaining in his seat.

Comment on this
Denis F. Jones An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Fine Gael

The Taoiseach moved.

Comment on this

He did not. The Taoiseach did not move from his seat. He did not stand up to name Deputy Fox.

Comment on this

On a point of order, Standing Order No. 37 states that a Member desiring to speak shall rise in his place——

Comment on this
Denis F. Jones An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Fine Gael

We are not going back on a decision taken.

Comment on this

I am asking the Chair to rule on whether the motion to suspend Deputy Fox was properly moved in accordance with Standing Orders.

Comment on this
Denis F. Jones An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Fine Gael

I am not going back on any decision taken by the Ceann Comhairle. So far as the Ceann Comhairle is concerned, his decision has been taken and I am now calling on Deputy Clinton.

Comment on this
Luke Belton Mr. L. Belton Fine Gael

The Taoiseach said that the Leas-Cheann Comhairle had named Deputy Fox.

Comment on this

The Taoiseach said that the Leas-Cheann Comhairle named him.

Comment on this
Denis F. Jones An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Fine Gael

The Taoiseach moved the suspension. Would Deputy L'Estrange please resume his seat.

Comment on this

We want to know the truth. The Taoiseach a few minutes ago said the Leas-Cheann Comhairle named Deputy Fox, that he did not. Does the Taoiseach deny that he said that coming in?

Comment on this
John Lynch The Taoiseach Fianna Fáil

No.

Comment on this

There you are. The Taoiseach admits he said you named Deputy Fox. The Ceann Comhairle said he named him. Who named him?

Comment on this
Denis F. Jones An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Fine Gael

I have already asked Deputy L'Estrange to resume his seat.

Comment on this

Why is it necessary for all of you to proclaim your nationalism now?

Comment on this

Because we are not selling out this country to England or to anyone else as Fianna Fáil are doing. Fianna Fáil are selling out to Health and Faulkner. We do not stand for what the IRA are doing. We stand by this country and we stand for the good of this country.

Comment on this
Denis F. Jones An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Fine Gael

Order, order. Would Deputy L'Estrange please resume his seat. I have called on Deputy Clinton.

Comment on this

On a point of order, who named Deputy Fox?

Comment on this
Denis F. Jones An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Fine Gael

The Chair named him, the Taoiseach moved his suspension.

Comment on this
Luke Belton Mr. L. Belton Fine Gael

The Taoiseach said it was you.

Comment on this

The Taoiseach never got up to do it. Not only is he standing idly by, he is sitting——

Comment on this

On a point of order, it was said a few moments ago that the Ceann Comhairle had given a ruling and that you did not intend to reopen the matter. Are we to take this to mean that there is no way, if the Leas-Cheann Comhairle does something that is not in accordance with Standing Orders, that the matter can be raised?

Comment on this
Denis F. Jones An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Fine Gael

There is a method of dealing with either the Ceann Comhairle or the Leas-Cheann Comhairle, and the Deputy is aware of that.

Comment on this

That is a vote of censure motion that would remain on the Order Paper for a long time.

Comment on this

Is the Chair giving us to understand that, apart from the method he has indicated, there is no other mechanism by which an action that is judged to be incorrect by a large number of Deputies who have not an axe to grind in this matter, is incapable of——

Comment on this
Denis F. Jones An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Fine Gael

The Deputy will appreciate that the matter has been decided and it cannot be reopened in this fashion.

Comment on this

Is it not a fact that the matter can only be decided if it is correctly put, and that you have been unable to indicate that the Taoiseach complied with Standing Orders when he put the matter? Is it not clear that the naming of Deputy Fox was not in order and that if you, sir, continue to uphold this action, you will be in violation of the Rules of the House?

Comment on this
Denis F. Jones An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Fine Gael

I have called Deputy Clinton.

Comment on this

Is it your intention not to answer the points I have raised?

Comment on this
Deputies

Chair, Chair.

Comment on this

I would ask the Chair to answer my questions.

Comment on this
Denis F. Jones An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Fine Gael

I have told the Deputy that the matter was decided and it cannot be reopened now.

Comment on this

Are you ruling that the Taoiseach was in order?

Comment on this
Denis F. Jones An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Fine Gael

The Ceann Comhairle named the Deputy and the Taoiseach moved his suspension.

Comment on this
Luke Belton Mr. L. Belton Fine Gael

From a sitting position.

Comment on this

Can the Chair state that this is in conformity with the Standing Order which has been read out?

Comment on this
Denis F. Jones An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Fine Gael

I have called Deputy Clinton.

Comment on this