asked the Minister for Finance if he will state whether a consignment of pigs, the property of a Mr. Macklin, was seized by customs officers near Emyvale, County Monaghan; and, if so, the number of pigs seized, and what has since become of them and of the vehicle in which they were being carried; and, further, if he will consider revising the regulations under which his officers acted in view of the importance of this cross-Border trade to pig producers in the Republic.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Seizure of Pigs.
As legal proceedings are pending against a Mr. Francis Macklin of Dublin Street, Monaghan, in this matter, the Deputy will understand that it would not be proper for me to make any statement regarding it.
Would the Minister give it as his opinion that the smuggling of pigs is a suitable occupation for a gentleman recently appointed by him as a director of the Agricultural Credit Corporation?
Nobody appointed by me has been found guilty of smuggling.
That is a quibble.
You are, I think, deliberately misrepresenting the facts.
That is a quibble—a falsehood.
May I say again——
The matter is sub judice and there can be no further discussion.
There is no Francis Macklin appointed by me on any board.
An effort is being made to smother this matter.
On a point of order, the Deputy has said that the Minister's statement is a falsehood. Is that in order?
He said it was a quibble.
That it was a falsehood.
The Minister's word must be taken.
On a point of order, Deputy Smith has said that the Minister's statement was a falsehood. Is he allowed to get away with that?
The Deputy will withdraw the word "falsehood".
Well, Sir, knowing the facts as I do——
The Deputy either withdraws or he does not.
I cannot withdraw what I know to be true.
Then I will have to ask the Deputy to withdraw from the House. You must take the Minister's word.
Deputy Smith withdrew from the Chamber.