During the course of exchanges in this House this morning a remark that I can only describe as being an uncouth and most unworthy remark was made from the Fianna Fáil benches to my colleague, Deputy Austin Currie. It is a remark, a Cheann Comhairle, which I think is most unworthy of this House in that it shows a meanness of spirit and a poverty of political thought that is utterly to be deplored. I wrote to you, Sir, and to the Taoiseach notifying you of my intention to come in here at this time today to ask the Government to take steps to ensure that the person who made the remark, comes into this House formally to withdraw it.
I might add that the remark was clearly heard on these benches. I am given to understand that it was picked up on the recording equipment in the House and I am told also that it is the unanimous recollection of the Press Gallery — against whom we could not, of course, argue — that the remark was made. It may be that one Deputy on the other side of the House was erroneously accused of having made that remark this morning, Sir, but that is all the more reason the Government should take steps to ensure that whoever made the remark should come in here and withdraw it.
