I rise to ask who has authority in this House for the exclusion or admittance of Pressmen. I understand that Mr. P.J. Little, editor of New Ireland has been refused admittance to the House on the orders of Mr. Desmond Fitzgerald. I want to know if he is competent to give such an order?
POSITION OF PRESS REPRESENTATIVES.
MR. FITZGERALD:
On Friday night last, when the sitting was over, two members of this House were shouting at the Speaker and a third man came up and plucked him at the arm and shouted. Seeing that the man was let in here as a Pressman, I asked him to leave this House and not to enter it again. In the interests of this House, I consider it bad to have a man who came in as a Pressman shouting at the Speaker. I called your attention to it at the time, Sir.
The question I asked was by whose authority Mr. Little had been excluded and if Deputy Fitzgerald has such power as he allocated to himself. I asked this question of the Speaker of the House, not of you (Mr. Fitzgerald).
I am not able to answer you.
The question of the freedom of the Press is involved here, Mr. Speaker. I wish to know if it is with the consent of the House that this journalist is to be excluded. Let him apologise if he has committed any offence. I am sure he will be happy to do that.
MR. FITZGERALD:
I am not aware that he has given any apology to you in this matter.
I have not complained of anything. I have taken no cognisance at all of the action in question.
Therefore no Deputy has a right to rule out anybody.
It is the duty of the House to protect the Speaker of the House. The Speaker of this House is the most important member in it when he is in the Chair. It is well known in every Assembly in the world the Speaker must be respected. Certainly, we would be failing in our duty if we did not see that the dignity of the House was upheld.
The House had risen at the time.
Really I do not see why this particular matter should be discussed.
The reason I raise it is Mr. Little is at present outside the door and he represents a very important journal. I will ask, with your permission, that he be permitted to attend.
If it is a question for me that Mr. Little be permitted to attend I say,"yes." He shall be permitted to attend.