Before we adjourn, Sir, may I raise a matter of privilege. It seems to me to be clearly a matter of privilege.
This evening, on the 6.30 news on Radio Éireann, a statement was made from the Government Information Bureau, with direct reference to proceedings here last evening. I have the statement here, and I propose to quote it, not for the purpose of discussing it in any way, but in order that Senators will be aware of what was said on the Radio. It begins:
With reference to the tendentious motion moved on the adjournment of the Seanad on Wednesday evening, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Social Welfare has issued the following statement:
There is no foundation for the allegation that the names and addresses of unemployed persons have been supplied from official sources, for election or other purposes, to members of the Oireachtas.
If a Deputy, in an effort to assist a person to obtain suitable employment, requests that that person's name be submitted for a reported vacancy and that person is found at the time not to be registered for employment, it is normal practice to inform the Deputy to this effect. This facility is available to all Deputies at all times.
I think, Sir, that the use of the Radio to answer statements made in this House, is a clear breach of privilege. It is a very remarkable innovation, and I think it is the business of this House to see that it does not go unnoticed.
The question mentioned here was raised here last night in an orderly fashion. No Minister and no Parliamentary Secretary attended. The question was raised in the precise terms accepted by the Chair. The ruling of the Chair was criticised twice by the Leader of the House and here we have a repetition of that criticism in the words "the tendentious motion"——
