Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 6 May 1953

Vol. 138 No. 10

Newspaper Report—Question of Privilege.

Parliamentary Secretary to the Government (Mr. Lynch)

I wish to draw attention to a matter affecting the privileges of this House in connection with a report appearing in an English newspaper on last Sunday.

The newspaper concerned—the Sunday Express—contained a substantially accurate résumé of the report of the Select Committee on judicial salaries, expense allowances and pensions.

This report was presented by me, as chairman of the Select Committee, on Friday, 24th April, and is at present in the hands of the printers. Its unauthorised publication by a newspaper in advance of publication to the members of the House is, I submit, a breach of privilege and I raise the matter accordingly for such action as may be thought desirable.

General Mulcahy

I have not had an opportunity of seeing the Parliamentary Secretary's statement before or of seeing the article referred to in the Sunday Express.I would like to ask the Parliamentary Secretary for what purpose is the matter raised nowand what suggestion he has to make other than that the matter would be considered by the Committee on Procedure and Privileges.

Mr. Lynch

I feel that, in the interests of the privileges of this House, any matter referred to a Committee of the House for investigation and for report to the House should first be made available to Deputies before it is published in any newspaper.

General Mulcahy

Surely.

Mr. Lynch

I took this opportunity as the first opportunity available to me to report the matter to the Ceann Comhairle and to the House for what action he considers necessary.

General Mulcahy

Do I understand then that it is you, Sir, who will make the suggestion as to what action may be taken?

An Ceann Comhairle

I suggest the most effective way of dealing with the matter would be to refer it to the Committee on Procedure and Privileges and to take a motion to that effect.

Mr. Lynch

I move that the matter be referred to the Committee on Procedure and Privileges.

Agreed.