Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 25 May 1949

Vol. 115 No. 15

Personal Explanation by a Deputy.

Mr. Blaney

Before proceeding with the business, a Chinn Comhairle, I desire, with the permission of the House, to refer to a statement made about me by the Minister for Agriculture which I consider a breach of privilege. In the course of the debate on the agricultural Estimate on Friday last, as reported in Volume 115, column 1730 of the Official Debates, the Minister for Agriculture referred to me in the following terms:—

"... he whispered the oatmeal millers into plucking up courage to form a ring against me."

I want to say that that statement is completely untrue. I had at no time any contact with any of the oatmeal millers, nor did I suggest to any of them to act in the manner indicated by the Minister, nor had the Minister any foundation whatsoever for his allegation. I consider that the Minister should now accept unreservedly my disclaimer and withdraw the allegation.

Mr. Dillon

I gladly accept——

An Ceann Comhairle

I do not know that this is exactly a matter of a breach of privilege. Possibly it is. Reading the full context, the Minister's words are at least ambiguous and have been interpreted as suggested by the Deputy by many. I think the Deputy, however, should be satisfied with a disclaimer.

Mr. Dillon

I very gladly accept Deputy Blaney's disclaimer of any participation in any conspiracy with oatmeal millers, and I imagine that, having regard to the full text which continues in column 1731, he will have observed that, but I trust he now realises the extent to which his advice reacted to the detriment——

Mr. P.J. Burke

The Minister should do one thing or the other.

Mr. Lemass

Is that supposed to be acceptance of a disclaimer?

An Ceann Comhairle

The Minister says he has unreservedly accepted the disclaimer