Skip to main content
Normal View

Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 4 Feb 1999

Vol. 499 No. 5

Requests to move Adjournment of Dáil under Standing Order 31.

Before proceeding to the Order of Business I propose to deal with a number of related notices under Standing Order 31 in the names of Deputies Quinn, O'Sullivan and Jim Higgins. I propose to call the Deputies in the order in which they submitted their notices to my office.

In accordance with the terms of Standing Order 31 I seek leave to move the suspension of the Dáil to consider the following matter of urgent public importance: the serious public concern about the circumstances in which the State agreed to accept pleas of guilty to a lesser charge of manslaughter in the case of those who had been charged with the murder of Detective Garda Jerry McCabe; the particular concern that acts of intimidation may have led to crucial evidence being withheld from the court, and the need for the Attorney General, in accordance with the terms of the Prosecution of Offenders Act, 1974, to discuss with the Director of Public Prosecutions the policy considerations that should be considered prior to the State entering into plea bargaining in cases of major public importance.

(Mayo): I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to discuss the following important matter requiring urgent consideration, namely, the decision by the State to withdraw the murder charge in the case of persons charged with the murder of Detective Garda Jerry McCabe; the need for a clear statement as to the precise reasons this has happened, and the need for an assurance that none of those who will now be convicted of manslaughter will benefit from early release under the British-Irish Agreement.

Having considered the matters fully, I do not consider them to be ones contemplated by Standing Order 31. I cannot grant leave, therefore, to move the motions.

On a point of order, why is the Taoiseach not present this morning when we will be dealing with a cataclysmic event? Is he out of the country?

That is not a point of order but the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources may wish to respond.

The Leader of the Opposition is not present either.

He is out of the country.

As Members are probably aware, the Taoiseach is meeting the Danish Prime Minister today.

Where and when?

The meeting is in Copenhagen.

At what time?

Will Martin McGuinness be there?

Top
Share