My statement arises out of certain statements made yesterday in this House by Deputy Flor Crowley. I should say that Deputy Crowley being in the precincts of the House this morning, I notified him in accordance with what I understand is the normal courtesy of the House that I intended to raise this question at this time here.
Deputy Flor Crowley in the course of a contribution in the debate on the Broadcasting Authority (Amendment) Bill yesterday referred to me as "a former member of the Communist Party". I immediately and categorically denied this allegation which you requested Deputy Crowley to withdraw. I have in fact never been a member of the Communist Party or of any party other than the Irish Labour Party. Under pressure from you to withdraw his remark Deputy Crowley said: "If the Minister says that he disowns membership of the Irish Communist Party I accept that he has disowned it." You inquired whether this was a withdrawal, Sir, and when Deputy Crowley was silent you appeared to take this as implying a withdrawal.
I am not of course in any way disputing your ruling that Deputy Crowley's remarks at this point were within the rules of order. I have to be concerned, however, with the implications of the wording used by Deputy Crowley, in relation to his original statement and as affecting my reputation.
It is clear that the words used by Deputy Crowley do not imply acceptance of the truth of my denial, but rather suggest the opposite, through the use of the word "disown".
Subsequently Deputy Crowley took up the charge again in various forms, suggesting for example that I had attended a Communist Congress in Poland. When I denied the allegation about a Communist Congress in Poland he repeated it, and referred to the heat of my denial as "proof", as he said, of the allegation he made.
It is my view, after listening to Deputy Crowley, and having read over the record of his remarks, that the Deputy continued to imply the truth of his original allegation, that I had been a Communist, implying also that my explicit denial was not a factual statement but simply a political "disowner" of a real past association, made to mislead the House and the public.
This, I submit, is obviously defamatory.
As the Deputy's remarks were privileged, I have no recourse except to the Dáil Committee on Procedure and Privileges, and I therefore request you, Sir, to have Deputy Crowley's statement considered by that Committee.
