asked the Minister for Justice (a) if any State grant was given for entertaining the members of the Canadian Bar Council during their recent visit to Ireland, (b) if the Taoiseach was invited to speak at the function and (c) if he was invited to speak or be present at the function on Wednesday, 22nd inst. and, if so, in what capacity.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Entertainment of Canadian Bar Council Members.
23.
The answer to the first part of the question is "no".
As regards the second and third parts, I would remind the Deputy that it is the acknowledged right of the organisers of any private function either to invite or not to invite any member of the Government to speak or to be present at such function, and to issue such an invitation or not do so, as the case may be, without having the matter disclosed here or, for that matter, disclosed to anybody outside the group directly concerned.
I am authorised by the Taoiseach to say that he has, of course, no objection whatsoever to the organisers of the function in question giving the Deputy the information he seeks if they so desire.
Is the Minister aware that a Minister of State attended this function and acted in a disgraceful and disrespectful manner?
That does not arise. It has nothing to do with the question.
It has.
The question relates to an invitation to the Taoiseach——
What he said was right.
I asked if the Minister for Justice was invited. He was present at it. Therefore either he was invited or he went on his own accord. He acted in a disgraceful manner at that function.
That does not arise.
I also want to ask why the Government Information Bureau issued an inaccurate statement on this incident and what was their reason for stating that he had a stomach upset.
The Deputy is abusing the privileges of the House. The Deputy should not abuse the privileges of the House.
He would make anyone sick.
I am entitled to ask the Taoiseach if he will stand over low standards in high places.
The Deputy is abusing the rules of the House. The Deputy is disorderly.
Does the Taoiseach agree with a Minister of State acting in a disgraceful manner at a function?
I am calling the question to the Minister for Finance.
Does the Taoiseach stand over this or has he any control over his Ministers?
The Deputy should control himself to begin with. Will the Deputy please resume his seat?
Does the Ceann Comhairle say that Ministers of this Government should control themselves at State functions?
The Ceann Comhairle has nothing to do with it.
Does the Taoiseach condone what happened at that function?
Will the Deputy please resume his seat? If the Deputy does not obey the Chair he can leave the House. I will ask him to resume his seat. The Deputy is being disorderly.
The Minister was disorderly at this function and I want to know does the Taoiseach stand over his action.
(Interruptions.)
Will the Deputy please resume his seat? He is being most disorderly.
I am entitled to know whether Ministers of State are entitled to act in a disrespectful manner towards visitors.
It does not arise on the question. I would ask Deputy L'Estrange to resume his seat or leave the House.
On a point of order——
There is no point of order when the Chair is asking a Deputy to resume his seat.
Put him out too.
On a point of order——
(Interruptions.)
Is Deputy L'Estrange not entitled to ask a question here without being rudely interrupted by members of the Government?
The Deputy is entitled to ask a question relating to the question he has down on the Order Paper.
That is what I am asking and I am being denied it.
When the Deputy raises another matter which is not relevant to the question the Chair has to intervene.
The Chair has allowed interruptions from the Government benches, including Government Ministers. It is disgraceful that you should allow this to happen.
Can the Minister confirm or deny that the Government Information Bureau issued an erroneous statement in relation to this function?
That is a separate matter. It does not arise on the question put down by Deputy L'Estrange.
The question is does the Taoiseach care to deny or confirm it, irrespective of whether it is a separate question? Does he want to confirm or deny it?
That has nothing to do with the question.
He would make anyone sick.
Question No. 24 to the Minister for Finance.
I refuse to tell Deputy L'Estrange from whom I get invitations. If he wants these people to let him know if they gave me an invitation he can ask them.
Does the Taoiseach condone the Minister's action? If he does he would condone anything because he is afraid to teach any of them a lesson.
Will the Deputy please control himself?
The seeds of political anarchy lie in the attitude expressed by Deputy L'Estrange.
The promising young boy.
If Deputy L'Estrange and Deputy Bruton and Deputy Donegan and Deputy Harte want to pursue that course of action they are welcome to it.
What course of action?
The Minister's chickens are coming home to roost.
Interruptions.)