Before we pass from questions, Deputy Killilea made certain remarks in regard to what he called the "O'Higginses". In view of the difficulty of discussing some questions of Order recently, I should like to ask if you, Sir, have any ruling to make on that matter?
Deputy's References.
I did not catch perfectly what Deputy Killilea said in respect to Senator O'Higgins. I think it very undesirable that references should be made in this House to specific persons or to any occupations they may occupy. That is the only ruling I make.
I only asked questions in regard to jobs they got from the last Government.
The Chair will be aware that there were O'Higginses who got more than jobs but, even from the point of view of order and decorum in this House and your responsibilities here, particularly in view of what we have had recently, I think it is a very shocking thing that, so soon after the instance we had recently, we should be reminded here of incidents in the past by venomous and spiteful remarks made about any family here in this House.
Last week we had statements made by Deputy Dillon about Deputy Little, a man who has given as faithful service to this country as any O'Higgins. If you start these attacks from the other side you will get plenty of them.
Are we going to have another exhibition from the people who came in here like Pontius Pilate from the Committee on Procedure and Privileges last week?
The reference which has just been made by Deputy Sweetman should not be made in respect to any Deputy—"people who came in here like Pontius Pilate." That remark should not be made.
If you say that I should withdraw it, I withdraw.
It is not the first time——
I am not going to allow my ruling to be challenged in any fashion. Because the statement is repeated, it does not necessarily mean that it is in order.
We will see that the name of O'Higgins will not be dragged in the mud by Deputy Killilea or anybody else.
Deputy Flanagan will obey the ruling of the Chair in the same way as any other Deputy. No statement will be allowed to go unchallenged in that fashion.
Some of these people over there murdered the O'Higginses.
May I point out that only a short time ago the Deputies on that side of the House tried to come in here to suggest that they were the only people concerned with decency and order in this House? Deputy Killilea has shown that he is not very much concerned with decency to-day.
May I point out that Deputy Flanagan stated that these people over there murdered the O'Higginses? Should that remark not be withdrawn? Is he entitled to make a statement that we murdered people?
Yes, and you did it.
What did the Deputy say, in respect to murder?
That these are the people talking about the O'Higginses who murdered them.
That is a remark that must be withdrawn.
I shall not withdraw it. I will leave the House instead. I could not sit here and hear the O'Higginses attacked in that way.
I have a record as good as any O'Higgins. I suffered as much——
His toe.
I have a whole foot, never mind a toe.