Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Before I speak to the Bill, I seek your guidance, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle, about some of the comments made by the previous speaker. Will your office or the Office of the Ceann Comhairle have the speech just made examined by the Committee on Procedure and Privileges? People have been named in the Chamber and they are not here to defend themselves. It is the worst abuse of parliamentary privilege I have witnessed. Two, if not three, people who are not Members of this House and cannot defend themselves had their names thrown around in the course of the previous speech in an absolutely shocking fashion. I do not know the people concerned and I am not familiar with the issues that were mentioned, but people outside of this House are entitled to their good name. When a Member of this House openly attacks them in the fashion we have just seen, it is incumbent on this House to ensure their names and reputations are restored. I am formally complaining to you, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle-----

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