On a point of order, I ask Senator Sheahan to withdraw a comment he made earlier about an alleged comment of an alleged member of Sinn Féin. It was hearsay and he did not substantiate it. It was an awful statement and I would respectfully ask that he withdraw the statement he made.
Business of Seanad
I was not in the Chair at the time so it is very difficult for me to adjudicate on it. The Acting Chairman at the time perhaps thought it was a political charge.
I am respectfully asking the Member if he would withdraw the comment.
If Senator Sheahan wishes to withdraw it, he may. I am not in a position to enforce anything. Does Senator Sheahan wish to comment?
No, I do not wish to withdraw my comment. Senator Cullinane asked me to name the person in question but I believe it would be inappropriate for me to name the person.
It is inappropriate for a Senator to come into this House and engage in hearsay.
We are not having a discussion on it now.
It is inappropriate for any Member of this House to abuse his or her position and to engage in hearsay and then not even substantiate the claim that he made, and hide behind the fact he cannot name the member.
We are not dealing with that issue now.
It is inappropriate and despicable for the Senator to do so.
Those issues should be dealt with at the time. The Acting Chairman maybe felt it was a political charge. I am not in a position to make a judgement on it now.
He should be ashamed of himself.
We must move on.