Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 24 Jun 1982

Vol. 336 No. 7

Committee of Selection: First Report.

Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach (Mr. B. Ahern)

The Committee of Selection reports that it has nominated the following Members to serve on the Committee on Procedure and Privileges:——

Deputies Bertie Ahern (Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach and at the Department of Defence), David Andrews, Seán Barrett, Neil T. Blaney, John Boland, Séamus Brennan, Ben Briscoe, John Bruton, Clement Coughlan, Pádraig Faulkner, Brendan Griffin, Liam Lawlor, Michael Moynihan, Ciarán P. Murphy, Nora Owen, Mervyn Taylor and Godfrey Timmins.

I move: "That the report be laid before the Dáil."

Question put and agreed to.

Mr. McMahon

When is it likely that this committee will meet? Will they have as the first item on their agenda consideration of the illegal entry of some Deputies into this House the day the Taoiseach was elected and when are they likely to report to the House on this incident?

An Ceann Comhairle

Item No. 4.

Mr. McMahon

May I have a reply? When are the committee likely to meet, will they have this item on their agenda and when are they likely to report their findings to the House?

An Ceann Comhairle

I reported to the House already.

Mr. McMahon

Those Deputies who are creating much noise here this morning burst into the House to elect a Taoiseach——

An Ceann Comhairle

It is over. I reported to the House on the matter.

Mr. McMahon

No. When I raised this matter I was given an undertaking by the Chair that this would be referred to the Committee on Procedure and Privileges. That committee were set up in the past few minutes. As the matter I referred to was the first irregular incident in this House since the election, I wish to know if it will be the first item on the agenda and when they are likely to report their findings.

An Ceann Comhairle

I gave a report to the House on it. Any Member can refer it to the Committee on Procedure and Privileges and the committee will issue a report to the House.

Mr. McMahon

I fully accept that the Chair reported to the House. I have a copy of it but I have not got it with me now. When I queried the Chair on that report the Chair gave me an undertaking that he would refer the matter to the Committee on Procedure and Privileges. I have waited a long time for the committee to be set up and that was done this morning. I want to know when they will have their first meeting and if this will be the first item on the agenda.

An Ceann Comhairle

It will. I hope the Committee on Procedure and Privileges meet as quickly as possible, but when they will report is a matter for them.

Mr. McMahon

Who convenes the meeting? If that person is here, may I have some indication from him when they are likely to meet?

An Ceann Comhairle

The committee is called by agreement of both sides.

Mr. McMahon

Perhaps I could have some indication from the Whips? I take it it is they who arrange the matter? Will the committee meet this week? Who makes out the agenda, and will the item which the Chair undertook to refer to the committee be on the agenda for the first meeting?

An Ceann Comhairle

I give the Deputy an assurance that I will bring forward the matter at the first meeting.

Mr. Cluskey

The Chair is chairman of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges. Is it not the prerogative of the Chair to initiate the calling of the first meeting?

An Ceann Comhairle

I inquired about that yesterday and I understand it is done by agreement between the parties.

Mr. Cluskey

As chairman does the Chair suggest a date?

An Ceann Comhairle

I inquired about this because I am very anxious for the committee to meet, and have been for quite a while. I understand that the first meeting is by agreement.

Mr. Cluskey

May the House take it that, as chairman of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges, the Chair will suggest a meeting in the present week or in the coming week?

An Ceann Comhairle

Yes, I will do that.

Mr. Cluskey

I thank the Chair.