I wish to raise a matter of urgent national importance. I tabled a question yesterday about certain people who are stirring up sectarian feelings and bitterness in this State.
Order of Business.
I considered the question and ruled it out of order on the grounds that the Taoiseach has no responsibility. In doing so, I was following long-established precedent. The matter cannot be debated now.
Is the Ceann Comhairle aware that this particular individual spoke about informers being taken care of in Donegal and is that the type of inflammatory language to use about the Taoiseach and Deputy James Gibbons, Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries? Is the Ceann Comhairle aware of this? Is the Ceann Comhairle aware that these particular people said——
Deputies
Chair, Chair.
(Interruptions.)
The Deputy is disorderly and should resume his seat.
This particular gentleman said that informers would be taken care of in Donegal. Is that the language to use about the Taoiseach and the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries?
Deputies
Sit down. Chair.
The Deputy is being disorderly.
Is the Chair further aware that there were 34 gardaí and ten detectives minding the Taoiseach in Donegal because of the inflammatory speeches made by Senator McGlinchey and by Deputy Blaney?
(Interruptions.)
If the Deputy has such regard for order he should resume his seat.
I have regard for order. Nobody could stand by and allow this bigotry and speeches arousing sectarian feelings in Donegal. It is time they were dealt with.
Deputies
Order, Order. Chair.
I want to know if the Taoiseach intends to take any action against Senator McGlinchey and Deputy Blaney for these types of speeches?
Has the Deputy any regard for the Rules of Order?
Yes. But some people have no regard and they want to start civil war in this country. We stand for peace with our Protestant brethren in this country. It is completely wrong that Deputy Blaney or Senator McGlinchey should be allowed to make these types of inflammatory speeches in the north of Ireland. We have always stood for unity of heart and unity of mind. We look on the Protestants of Donegal as fellow Irishmen and we will not stand idly by when these types of speeches are being made by Senator McGlinchey or by Deputy Blaney. It is a disgrace that such speeches are being made in this little country of ours. Fianna Fáil have ruined the tourist industry in Donegal this year. They have ruined the people there who depend on the tourist industry. Fianna Fáil are about to ruin that industry again in 1971. It is a disgrace that they are doing this and that Senator McGlinchey should refer to the Taoiseach and to Deputy James Gibbons, Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries, as informers, as he did.
Deputies
Order. Sit down. Order. Order.
Will Deputy L'Estrange please resume his seat? The Deputy's party should take some steps to restrain the Deputy.
Where is the collective responsibility when men are making such statements about our fellow brethren in Donegal?
On a point of order. Did the Chair state that the Taoiseach was not responsible for his party?
Who is responsible for Deputy L'Estrange?
With regard to the men who are making inflammatory speeches about our brethren in Northern Ireland, whether we agree or disagree with their religion, they are still Irishmen and Irishwomen. What about Senator McGlinchey making the speech about the Taoiseach and you on the Fianna Fáil benches over there referring to one another as informers and perjurers in your party at the present time?
I wish to give notice that I intend to raise on the Adjournment the subject matter of Question No. 36 which appeared on the Order Paper of 19th November, 1970.
The Chair will communicate with the Deputy.
When will the debate be resumed on the EEC? Will there be an interim report on the negotiations in regard to our application?
I shall communicate with the Deputy later.
Perhaps An Tánaiste would be in a position to comment tomorrow morning?
Business, as set out on the Order Paper, will be taken as follows: Nos. 20, 21 and 22.