On a question of order, is it in order for a Deputy of this House to describe a letter from a lady defending her father's honour, a man who died, who was murdered in the service of this State, as political propaganda?
Order of Business.
I am not the judge of that.
It was stated here to-day by a Deputy, and I want to know if it is in order so to describe the letter of a lady defending her father's honour who died in the defence of the State?
I cannot pronounce on that.
On a point of order. It has been the custom in this House to deprecate, and, in fact, for the Chair to prevent, reference to persons outside this House who are unable to defend themselves. When that applies to civil servants and judges, should it not apply also to private persons?
Who brought in the reference?
A Deputy has alleged that a person whose father was killed in the execution of his duty has written a letter, referring to that incident, and was using it for purposes of political propaganda. That is a reflection upon a citizen who has suffered because of her father's devotion to duty. Does the Chair now say that that remark was in order?
The Chair has not said that it was in order.
I am asking the Chair to rule on it.
On a point of order. The first reference to the lady was made by Deputy Aiken.
But not in a derogatory manner.
I am asking the Chair to rule.
It is the duty of the Chair to defend outsiders here as much as possible. It should not have been made.
Nobody makes more derogatory references to private persons than Deputy MacEntee.
Is it to be withdrawn?
It should not have been made.
Before a matter like this is raised, the Deputy who put down the question should be here.
It does not arise, but I think that the Deputy should withdraw his remarks about the young lady who wrote the letter.
What exactly——
If the Deputy does not want to withdraw his remark he need not, but I think he should.
Will the Ceann Comhairle say what remark I made?
That is was political propaganda for the lady to write that letter.
Defending her father's honour.
If I do not withdraw, what is the position?
I leave the House to judge. I have no more to say on it now.
May I, as the Minister to whom the question was originally addressed, say that the question was put down in such a way that a letter was written in reference to that? This letter was written. There was no question of defending her father's honour because the father's honour was not impugned and could not be impugned. The honour of any person who dies in the service of this State could never be impugned. When Deputy MacEntee tries to put over on the Parliament here that the honour of any soldier or police officer who died in the service of this State was impugned he is doing a very great disservice.
Is a Minister of the Government entitled to attend the funeral of his murderers?
You will withdraw that remark about murderers yet.
I will not hear any more of this unruly debate. Deputy Lehane must try to control himself. He has been interrupting repeatedly.
He always controls himself when there is any fighting to be done.
Business on the Order Paper will be taken in the following order:—Nos. 1, 7, 5, 6, 8, 3, 2.
Are we sitting to-morrow?
If the business ordered for to-day is concluded the Dáil will not sit to-morrow.
May I ask the Taoiseach what is the proposal about sitting next week?
That matter ought to be the subject of discussion between the Whips and the Whips can have a discussion about what business must be concluded before Christmas.