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Taoiseach called to "defend integrity of the House" following O'Brien legal action

The Taoiseach has been asked to issue a joint statement with opposition leaders, stating his supp...
Newstalk
Newstalk

10.07 4 Aug 2015


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Taoiseach called to "d...

Taoiseach called to "defend integrity of the House" following O'Brien legal action

Newstalk
Newstalk

10.07 4 Aug 2015


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The Taoiseach has been asked to issue a joint statement with opposition leaders, stating his support for freedom of speech for TDs, following legal action from businessman Denis O'Brien.

The call comes from Renua leader Lucinda Creighton, who called on "the main protagonists in the House" - including the Taoiseach and Tánaiste - to "defend the integrity of the House."

Mr O'Brien, who owns a majority shareholding in this radio station, has named all members of the committee in a submission to the High Court.

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It is understood that he has taken issue with the CPP findings that Independent TD Catherine Murphy did not abuse Dáil privilege when making allegations about him in the chamber.

Deputy Creighton says Enda Kenny and other leaders should come together to tell Mr O'Brien to "back off".

The Oireachtas Committee on Procedure and Privileges (CPP) is to meet "in the next number of weeks" to decide their next move, as Mr O'Brien prepares to take legal action against the group.

It is the first time the committee has ever been subjected to legal proceedings.

The Fianna Fáil leader Micheal Martin has hit out at the move, calling it "a threat to democracy".

John Halligan is a member of the Committee on Procedures and Privileges and Independent TD for Waterford.

He told Newstalk Breakfast that Dáil privilege must be protected.

Meanwhile, a Sinn Féin TD says the legal action could have a "chilling effect" on members of the Dáíl.

Peadar Toibin says Mr O'Brien's legal action against the state, and ten members of the Dáíl's disciplinary committee, is "aggressive".

Peadar Toibin says it's vital that the court case is resisted


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