Vol. 101 No. 5
I move:—
That the Ceann Comhairle direct the Clerk of the Dáil to issue his writ for the election of a member to fill the vacancy which has occurred in the membership of the present Dáil consequent on the resignation by Deputy William Dwyer of his seat as a member for the borough constituency of Cork.
Is the motion seconded? There can be no discussion until it is seconded.
I wish to second the motion.
Has Deputy Flanagan, who moved the issue of the writ, consulted any of the representatives of Cork City? It has been the practice in this Dáil, as far as I know, to observe certain decencies in public life. The first thing that I would do if I intended to move or to second a motion for the issue of a writ for Laoighis-Offaly would be to consult with the members for that constituency. That is the least that should be done. I know that any Deputy can move the issue of a writ. I do not want to take that right from him, but this is the first occasion, as long as I am in the House, since 1927, that this practice has been departed from. There has been what can be regarded as a gentleman's agreement and there has been confidence in all the members of the House because of the practice that has grown up and because it has always been followed. That gentleman's agreement has always been observed. This is the first occasion on which it has been departed from and I regret that very much. We have, so far, observed all these decencies in public life and I regret this departure. The citizens of Cork, so far as I know, and I have a very long acquaintance with them, do not show any zeal for this election. I do not want to proceed along those lines. I regret that any Deputy moving in a matter of this kind should not have first consulted with the members for Cork. Representing Cork City in this House, there are Deputy Furlong, Deputy Daly and myself. Of course Mr. Dwyer has resigned. We were within the reach of Deputy Flanagan and those associated with him and he should at least have had the decency and the common courtesy to ask us what we thought of the position.
As the existing senior Deputy for Cork City, I protest against the breach of good manners displayed on this occasion. Like Deputy Anthony, I think we recognise that certain observances are due to ordinary decorum and decency. It was my intention after consultation with Deputy Anthony, to move this writ at the end of the summer on behalf of the citizens of Cork. The citizens there very strongly object to any outside interference, more especially from a man for whom I have so little regard as Deputy Flanagan. If Deputy Flanagan wants to be a "Playboy of the Western World," let him be so and we will give him his answer when he comes to Cork.
With the interruptions, I cannot hear the Deputy.
Is he entitled to cast aspersions on Deputy Flanagan?
If Deputy Flanagan comes to Cork I will give him his answer all right. You can be sure of that. I challenge Deputy Flanagan——
Sit down.
I challenge Deputy Flanagan to resign his seat on the result of the election in Cork. I will resign myself if the Fianna Fáil candidate is beaten.
That is a bargain— you will resign your seat. In reply to the remarks made by Deputies Anthony and Furlong, I consider that the remarks made are altogether unfair, in view of the fact that from the date of Mr. Dwyer's resignation to the present day both my old friend, Deputy Anthony, and Deputy Furlong have had sufficient time to make up their minds. In view of the fact that I believe we may be able to offer the people in Cork a candidate who will be worthy of their support on this occasion, I think that the time is now opportune for that election. I very much regret the view that Deputy Anthony has taken on this. As a matter of fact, I would have been only too delighted to acquaint Deputy Anthony and Deputy Furlong; but I was not associated with any particular Party and, hence, I believed that I was under no obligation to speak to them with regard to the actions that I take in this House, be they in the interest of Cork City or Leix-Offaly.
That is the first thing the Government ever accepted from me. They are getting good to me.
