David Cullinane (Sinn Fein)
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On a point of order, I ask Senator Sheahan to withdraw a comment he made earlier about an alleged comment of an alleged member of Sinn Féin. It was hearsay and he did not substantiate it. It was an awful statement and I would respectfully ask that he withdraw the statement he made.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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I was not in the Chair at the time so it is very difficult for me to adjudicate on it. The Acting Chairman at the time perhaps thought it was a political charge.

David Cullinane (Sinn Fein)
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I am respectfully asking the Member if he would withdraw the comment.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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If Senator Sheahan wishes to withdraw it, he may. I am not in a position to enforce anything. Does Senator Sheahan wish to comment?

Tom Shehan (Fine Gael)
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No, I do not wish to withdraw my comment. Senator Cullinane asked me to name the person in question but I believe it would be inappropriate for me to name the person.

David Cullinane (Sinn Fein)
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It is inappropriate for a Senator to come into this House and engage in hearsay.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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We are not having a discussion on it now.

David Cullinane (Sinn Fein)
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It is inappropriate for any Member of this House to abuse their position and to engage in hearsay and then not even substantiate the claim that he made, and hide behind the fact he cannot name the member.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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We are not dealing with that issue now.

David Cullinane (Sinn Fein)
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It is inappropriate and despicable for the Senator to do so.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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Those issues should be dealt with at the time. The Acting Chairman maybe felt it was a political charge. I am not in a position to make a judgement on it now.

David Cullinane (Sinn Fein)
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He should be ashamed of himself.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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We must move on.