I have investigated the complaint of privilege made in the House yesterday by Deputy J. A. Costello, when he reported that an assault had been made on Deputy Seán Collins by the Minister for Education in the precincts of the House a short while previously.
In investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident, I interviewed the parties concerned and had for my information several reports from officials who had some knowledge of this regrettable occurrence. There is no practical difference between the parties concerned as to the actual events.
I am satisfied that the facts are substantially as stated by Deputy Costello, the Minister for Education being admittedly the aggressor and having assaulted Deputy Collins. I find that this assault constituted an action in contempt of Parliament.
The Minister informed me that the reason for his action was in retaliation of a charge against the personal honour of a fellow-member of his Party made by Deputy Collins the night before. This cannot be considered in any sense as justifying or mitigating the offence. The charge, however, made by Deputy Seán Collins on the previous evening against Deputy Killilea was in violation of the Rules of Order of Dáil Éireann.
As the incident complained of by Deputy J.A. Costello occurred outside the Dáil Chamber, it is not covered by the rules adopted by the Dáil which vest in the Ceann Comhairle the power of dealing with disorder in the House itself. The incident, however, constituting an act in contempt of Parliament, falls to be dealt with by Dáil Éireann in such manner as the members may in their wisdom decide.
Such action must be taken in accordance with the rules governing the procedure by which decisions are reached in Dáil Éireann.