Dáil debates

Thursday, 13 December 2012

2:15 pm

Photo of Gerry AdamsGerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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As the Ceann Comhairle will be aware, he suspended Deputy Mac Lochlainn yesterday.

Photo of Seán BarrettSeán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Dáil suspended him not me.

Photo of Gerry AdamsGerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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He was quite rightly allowed to vote earlier. I understand he was subsequently denied entry to the Chamber to vote. He has a constitutional entitlement to vote and a mandate to vote. I ask the Ceann Comhairle to look into this matter.

Photo of Seán BarrettSeán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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The only thing I can say is that for as long as I have been here - and long before me - if a Member is suspended he or she is suspended from the House and he or she is not entitled to be in the Chamber. Whether it is a constitutional right is not a matter that I can judge. It is a matter for the courts.

Photo of Gerry AdamsGerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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I understand that. I have only been here a short period and there are many traditions in this Chamber which I think are archaic, anti-democratic and stifle proper and full debate. I know the Ceann Comhairle is only here to interpret and implement the rules but we will take legal advice on this matter.

Sitting suspended at 2.50 p.m. until 3 p.m.