Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle) | Oireachtas source

Before I put the question, I take serious objections to the serious allegations the Deputy has made about the Committee on Procedure and Privileges which is an all-party committee and includes representatives from the Independent Members. The committee has not discussed the matter, but it has been advised officially that we are not empowered to deal with the issue and has sought further information from the Committee of Public Accounts. It is wrong for the Deputy to use the occasion to stand up in the Chamber, under the protection of privilege, to make serious allegations that the members of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges are acting in a political fashion, which is totally and utterly untrue. Nor are the officials operating in a political fashion. I take grave exception to any suggestion officials and members of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges are preventing the Committee of Public Accounts from doing its job.

The committee has powers laid down in Standing Orders in this House and if the Deputy chooses to read those Standing Orders, he will see the powers it has. He should not come in here and make serious allegations accusing Members of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges of acting in a political fashion and suggesting the committee is politically controlled. I object strongly to this.

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