Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 15 Jun 1967

Vol. 229 No. 5

Personal Explanation by Minister.

Minister for Local Government (Mr. Boland)

Could I give a personal explanation, because it was alleged here that in an official answer to a question I gave information which was false? I have here a document from Donegal County Council dated 13th June, 1967, which states:

I give herewith for ministerial approval details of the new differential rents scheme adopted by the Council at their meeting of the 24th April last.

This is the only document on the file dealing with this matter and it is the first my Department have heard about this new differential scheme.

Mr. Dillon

The Minister could have dealt with the matter on the Adjournment instead of making a statement.

Mr. Boland

I would ask that the allegation that I was supplied with false information be withdrawn.

Mr. Cosgrave

Surely this is irregular?

An Ceann Comhairle

It is quite irregular.

Mr. Blaney

It is the truth.

Mr. Boland

I appreciate that there is nothing irregular in Fine Gael Deputies making these false allegations.

Mr. Cosgrave

On a point of order, I submit this is grossly irregular.

(Interruptions.)

Mr. Boland

This document was sent to me on 13th June. These false allegations are made by Fine Gael Deputies and Deputy Cosgrave objects to their falsehoods being exposed.

Mr. Cosgrave

If the Minister wants to answer the Deputy's question, he can do so on the Adjournment.

Mr. Boland

It is not the Deputy's question; it is the Deputy's false allegations.

Mr. Cosgrave

Rents are going up anyway.

Mr. Boland

If Deputy Harte had his way, they would go up.

Mr. Cosgrave

They are going up in Donegal, Dublin and everywhere else.

Mr. Boland

This increase will be examined by me before it is approved. Deputy Harte will not have his way.

Mr. Cosgrave

Rents and the cost of living are going up and up.

Mr. L'Estrange

And the Minister for Agriculture——

(Interruptions.)

An Ceann Comhairle

Order. Matters of explanation should be notified to the Chair before being referred to in the House. I did not give any permission to raise any matter of personal explanation, and I do not want this to be taken as a precedent.

Mr. Corish

He did very well for the two minutes without being stopped.

An Ceann Comhairle

That is a reflection on the Chair which should not be made.

(Interruptions.)

The Dáil adjourned at 12.55 p.m. until 3 p.m. on Tuesday, 20th June, 1967.