FF: Recall the Dáil to discuss issues raised by Murphy's comments
Fianna Fáil wants the Dáil to be recalled to discuss what it says is the silencing of media outlets in relation to comments about businessman Denis O'Brien by independent TD Catherine Murphy yesterday.
Micheál Martin said the Dáil needed to sit to discuss how issues raised by Deputy Catherine Murphy under Dáil privilege cannot be reported, as they are also the subject of a High Court injunction.
Yesterday Deputy Murphy made new claims about businessman Denis O'Brien's banking arrangements with IBRC.
Micheál Martin said it was unprecedented that a matter of serious public interest in the Dáil could not be aired or reported.
A spokesperson for Mr O'Brien said Dáil privilege had an important role in Irish society and democracy but it should not be allowed to be "used or abused where falsehoods are misrepresented as facts as has happened in the Dáil in the last 24 hours".
James Morrissey told RTÉ a core principle of a democracy was the right of every individual to their good name and reputation and it was important that people "stand up for democracy inside the Dáil and outside the Dáil".
Independent TD Catherine Murphy said that she stands by her right, as an elected parliamentarian, to utilise her democratic mandate to put information that has come to her in the public interest into the public domain.
Fianna Fáil spokesperson on health Billy Kelleher told RTÉ’s Today with Sean O’Rourke that he had written to the Ceann Comhairle calling for the Dáil to be recalled over the allegations.
He wants the Dáil to discuss the fact that what Deputy Murphy said, under Dáil privilege, cannot be reported and said the matter raised issues including freedom of speech and the independence of the Dáil.
Independent TD for Dublin North East offered his support to Deputy Murphy.
“I want to highly commend Deputy Murphy and her staff on their Trojan work in bringing this important issue to the Dáil,” he said.
“I fully support her and I want to call on the Taoiseach to immediately convene an emergency meeting of Dáil Éireann to discuss this backward censorship that has no place in an educated, developed society.”
