Cathaoirleach denies 'gagging' claim as Callely statement refused

SEANAD REPORT:IVOR CALLELY (Ind) asked why he was being gagged after the Cathaoirleach had ruled that he could not make a personal statement or place in the Oireachtas library a copy of what he intended to say.

Cathaoirleach Pat Moylan said he was not gagging anyone. He had written to Mr Callely several times over the last six months about the matter.

The issue was raised as the Seanad sat to pass the EU directive requiring airlines to provide passenger data to state authorities as part of anti-terrorism measures. The directive was passed by the Dáil on Tuesday.

Mr Callely, who won a High Court challenge to findings of the Select Committee on Members’ Interests over his Seanad expenses, asked if the new leader of the House, Maurice Cummins (FG), would agree to amend the Order of Business to enable him to make a personal statement.

Mr Cummins said that the making of personal statements was a matter for the chair.

Mr Callely then asked if the House would agree that the statement he wished to make could be laid in the library.

Mr Moylan said he had facilitated Mr Callely in making a personal statement last June. The member had subsequently submitted another statement for clearance by the chair, who “saw no difference in it”.

Mr Callely said only one allegation had been made against him 10 months ago about misrepresentation of his place of residence. Since then numerous other allegations had been made.

Mr Moylan pointed out that the matter was still before the courts.

Questioning the ruling, Paschal Mooney (FF) said he subscribed to the philosophy of Voltaire. He might violently disagree with the point being made, but he would defend the right of a person to make it. “I have no axe to grind in relation to this at all, but I feel that at least natural justice would suggest that the member be allowed to make a statement. I know the chair has ruled on it, but I am challenging that ruling on the basis of unfairness.”