With your permission, may I refer to an allegation that was made by Deputy Killilea to-day at Question Time, in which he stated that Senator, and former Deputy, Michael O'Higgins was at one time Irish manager of the United Press Association?
Committee on Finance. - Deputy's Statement.
Is this in order?
The Deputy has given me notice.
I have here a letter from Senator O'Higgins in which he states:—
"Dear Deputy Sweetman,
I understand that earlier to-day in Dáil Éireann Deputy Mark Killilea suggested that I was at one period Irish manager of the United Press Association.
I am not clear as to the purpose of Deputy Killilea's accusation but it is, in any event, wholly false. I was any way connected with the United any way connected with the United Press Association.
Yours sincerely,
Michael J. O'Higgins (Senator).
I regret that I made a mistake in the statement I made. As I understand it now, it was a brother of Mr. O'Higgins who holds the post I was referring to—not the position of Irish manager but the position of bureau manager.
Arising out of Deputy Killilea's suggestion may I make it clear that when the contract in question was alloted or signed, no relation of Deputy O'Higgins, as he then was, or of Senator O'Higgins as he now is, was manager of the Company in question, and that it was in fact another person of the same name, but who is no relation whatsoever, who was then manager of that association?
The matter is now cleared up. Deputy Killilea has expressed his regret for the mistake he made.
In a very halting way.
There are plenty of O'Higginses in other offices.
I hope the Taoiseach is pleased with Deputy Killilea's last observation.
I do not know what the whole thing is about.
The Taoiseach never does.
Mr. Boland
It is a different brother.
That is untrue.
Interruptions.
Mr. Boland
It is a different brother.
Very well, if the Minister for Justice and Deputy Killilea think that it was a different brother who was manager at the time the contract——
Mr. Boland
Now.
At the time the contract was signed, and if they continue to make their foul allegation, I would ask the Chair to refer it to the Committee on Procedure and Privileges to ascertain the facts.
Deputy Killilea made a certain statement to-day. As the person about whom the allegation was made is not a member of this House but is a member of the other House, Deputy Sweetman saw me and asked me if I would allow him to read a letter to the House which he had received from Senator Michael O'Higgins. I did so. In the letter, Senator O'Higgins says that he has no connection whatsoever with the firm or business concerned which Deputy Killilea alleges he has. Now, Deputy Killilea has expressed regret that he made a mistake, and the matter is now closed.
And he has added new slanders about somebody else.
Backed by the Minister for Justice.
Mr. Boland
I say another brother has the job. Is that not a fact?
Deputy Killilea withdraws the statement. He withdraws the statement unequivocally without any addition or alteration. He withdraws the statement he made to-day. Is that so?
Have I not done that?
The Deputy withdraws the statement he made.
I did that, I think.
That settles the matter. Item No. 9.