asked the Minister for Health if, in connection with the statements made recently in New Ross by him in regard to the proposed health scheme, he will state who was the hostile critic he referred to; and, further, if he will state by whom the hostile criticism was commissioned.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Criticism of Proposed Health Scheme.
If the Deputy were keeping in touch with the daily newspapers he would have no difficulty in identifying the critic to whom I referred. As regards the second part of the question, I did not state in my speech that the hostile criticism had been commissioned. I inquired whether the critic had been commissioned to condemn a Fianna Fáil scheme. I have not yet been furnished with this information.
In view of the fact that this question was put down before I read the Minister's reply to Rev. Dr. Felim Ó Briain, I did not know who the hostile critic was to whom he referred. The Minister's statement was: "Was he commissioned to condemn the scheme?" Who commissioned him to do so? I take it the Minister must realise that a Catholic priest is commissioned under lawful authority by the Gospel to teach the moral law in this country.
That is not a question.
He is commissioned by the Gospel to teach the moral law and to define the social teachings of the Christian Church that are based on it. I want to know from the Minister who, in his opinion, commissioned this supposed critic, Rev. Dr. Felim Ó Briain.
Is the Minister aware that the Reverend Dr. Felim Ó Briain described the Clann na Talmhan Party as a futile little group without the semblance of a policy?
He thought Deputy Cogan was still the Party and that was his reason for making it but I made sure he was not. I want the Minister to reply to the question. Who, in his opinion, commissioned Dr. Felim Ó Briain? With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to raise this question on the Adjournment.
I hope you get kudos out of it.
You listen to-night at 10.30 p.m.