SEANAD REPORT:IVOR CALLELY (Ind) was accused of riding roughshod over the rules of the House when he sought to raise an issue related to the power of the Oireachtas to investigate members' activities.
Congratulating former senator Pearse Doherty on going to court to have the Donegal South West byelection held, he noted that part of the Government’s defence in the High Court was based on Article 15 of the Constitution. Cathaoirleach Pat Moylan cut Mr Callely short, advising him that what happened in the courts was not relevant to Order of Business.
Mr Callely said the Committee on the Constitution was reviewing parliamentary power of inquiry under Article 15 and suggestions were made that a constitutional amendment was required, partly due to uncertainty over the power of the Oireachtas and its committees to hold such inquiries.
Joe O’Toole (Ind) objected to the raising of the issue, contending that Mr Callely had to declare a conflict of interest “in making these kinds of points”. “This is an example of riding roughshod over the rules of the House,” he said.
Another row erupted when David Norris (Ind) sought to get an emergency debate on the terms of the IMF-EU “bailout” and the need for Oireachtas involvement in its approval. Calling for accountability, Mr Norris said this deal was done by a discredited government. When he expanded on his call, he was told by Mr Moylan he was not entitled to do so. After the chair ruled against him, an irate Mr Norris said the refusal of a debate showed what a farce the House had become.
