CEANN COMHAIRLE ACCEPTS OPPOSITION TDS QUESTIONING HIM BUT WON’T WITHDRAW COMMENTS
The Dáil’s Ceann Comhairle says he accepts that opposition TDs are allowed to question his decisions.
But he’s defended his decision to cancel a debate last week saying it was in the best interests of the taxpayer and the Oireachtas.
In a statement this afternoon Sean Barrett said he didn’t mean to give the impression that the opposition was banned from questioning his decisions as the chairman of the Dáil.
He says that in “the heat of the moment” he might have given the wrong impression – and he accepts that they are entitled to question his decision to ban a debate on an investigation into alleged Garda malpractice.
However he’s defended his decision – saying it was in “the best interest of the Oireachtas and the taxpayer” by trying to avoid the legal action that might arise if the debate compromised a separate case before the courts.
But the statement may only serve to inflame the situation further – because the Ceann Comhairle has not withdrawn his claim that opposition parties are out ‘to get him’ or undermine him.
It’s those comments that has the opposition angered – and which could yet see a motion of no confidence by the end of the week.
