asked the Minister for Lands if he has received complaints concerning alleged irregularities at Geashill State Forest, County Offaly; if he has referred the matter to the Attorney General in view of its serious nature and implications; and what action he has taken in the matter locally.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Geashill State Forest: Investigation of Complaints.
20.
Certain allegations in regard to Geashill Property of Tullamore State Forest were received in my Department from the Deputy. The Deputy was informed by letter dated the 15th January 1960 that the matter had been referred to the Attorney General for investigation. In these circumstances I am at a loss to understand the purpose of the Deputy's question.
May I ask the Minister if he is aware of the fact that last week officers of his Department informed the workers——
The Deputy may not make charges against officers of a Department.
I am asking the Minister if he is aware of the fact, and if he can say on what grounds officers of his Department told workers last week that the matter was at an end and that they were to return to work on the signing of a guarantee——
I do not accept that there is any truth in the allegation made by the Deputy and I have grave doubts about the other allegations conveyed to my Department by the Deputy.
(Interruptions.)
I want to ask the Minister is he prepared to stand over officers of his Department instructing an employee to steal timber which is other people's property——
The allegations made by the Deputy are under investigation.
The Deputy should not make charges against officers of a Department.
This is a matter which can be proved——
The Deputy may not make a speech. He may ask a question and he has done so.
May I raise this matter on the Adjournment, in view of the fact that the Minister is hiding fraud in this case?
We shall see when the investigation is concluded.
This is a serious fraud which is being hidden by the Minister.
The Deputy may not make the charge that a Minister is hiding a fraud. The Deputy will withdraw that remark.
Mr. Collins and Mr. Seery of the Minister's Department said that in the presence of the men during the week.
(Interruptions.)
I am asking the Deputy to withdraw the charge he has made against the Minister that he is hiding a fraud.
The Minister is hiding fraud. I submit that the Minister is hiding fraud in this case.
The Deputy may not repeat that charge. I am asking the Deputy to leave the House.
May I ask——
I shall leave the House. The Minister is hiding fraud in this case and he will not get away with it.
The Deputy has been instructed by the Chair to leave the House.
I shall leave the House and Deputy Lindsay can ask his question.
Deputy O.J. Flanagan withdrew from the Chamber.
May I say that the practice of hiding fraud by the Minister for Lands is only a continuation of his practice as Minister for the Gaeltacht?
That is a slander——
(Interruptions).
The Deputy may not make such a charge.
——by the slander merchants on the front bench of Fine Gael.
(Interruptions).
Deputy Lindsay will withdraw that charge against a member of this House, the Minister for Lands.
It would be flying in the teeth of conscience to withdraw the charge.
(Interruptions).
Then the Deputy will withdraw from the House.
Deputy Lindsay withdrew from the Chamber.