Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

I too strongly object to the Government's action to remove both Deputies Joe Behan and Finian McGrath from their respective committees. It is my understanding that every Member is entitled to participation on an Oireachtas committee. I see no proposition before us to accommodate Deputies Joe Behan and Finian McGrath on a different committee, one of their choice or on the committees in question as non-government participants.

There are fair and appropriate ways of dealing with this matter. This, however, appears to be a vexed act on the part of the Government in a matter of only a few days after the Deputies' decision to take a principled stand in opposition to the Government's budget measures. It is vindictive, does not respect the Deputies' democratic mandate or uphold their right to participate on an Oireachtas committee of their choice or as available. This should have been dealt with through negotiation by the Chief Whip with the two Deputies concerned rather than this proposition. It is wrong and is a slight not only on Deputies Joe Behan and Finian McGrath but on each Member. We in Sinn Féin have known the Government's approach to committee membership access following last year's general election.

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