asked the Taoiseach the action he proposes to take following the gross insult offered to the President and the grave reflection on his integrity, capacity and constitutional status as head of State by the Minister for Defence, Deputy Donegan.
Private Notice Question. - Minister's Reference to President.
While I do not accept that the remark of the Minister for Defence can be given the particular construction which the question puts on it, I regret that the Minister should have made any remark which slighted the President.
The Minister has offered a full and unreserved apology to the President.
In my opinion the reprehensible statement by the Minister for Defence warrants his resignation or alternatively his dismissal as a member of the Government. Does the Taoiseach intend to ask the Minister for his resignation or, in the alternative, to dismiss him?
I have nothing to add to the reply.
Is it not obvious that such a gross insult by the Minister for Defence to the man whose scholarship, integrity and education have been acclaimed all over the world and the man we are fortunate to have as our head of State, and such a gross insult to the Office of President itself, requires much more than a mere apology and requires action on the lines I have been suggesting?
I have explained that the Minister has made a full and unreserved apology to the President.
I anticipated the Taoiseach's rather taciturn and totally indefensible reply and therefore I propose to take further action. I have drafted a motion in the following terms:
That Dáil Éireann calls on the Taoiseach to request the Minister for Defence to resign.
I am asking the Chief Whip of my party to hand it in forthwith to the appropriate office in Leinster House and I am asking the Taoiseach to make Government time available to debate that motion at the earliest possible moment.
The remaining questions will appear on tomorrow's Order Paper.