Barrett decision wrong and should be reversed, says Martin

The Ceann Comhairle's decision to rule out a debate on the inquiry into allegations of Garda malpractice was wrong, unprecedented and should be reversed, Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin said.

Mr Martin was responding to comments by Seán Barrett on Friday in which he said he was following standing orders when he decided to rule out a debate on a motion setting up a commission of investigation into claims of Garda malpractice.

Mr Barrett said he ruled out the debate under the standing order 57.3 and concern that the debate could interfere with or prejudice a High Court action. The Ceann Comhairle said his decision was based on the public interest in seeking to get the inquiry started. His decision led to Opposition walking out of the Dáil.

Before the walkout, Taoiseach Enda Kenny said a ruling made by the Ceann Comhairle was not reversible.

Mr Martin said: “The Ceann Comhairle got it wrong in terms of the decision he took to suppress and say there would be no debate in the Dáil on the establishment of a commission of inquiry. It was unprecedented.”

Mr Martin said the consequence of Mr Barrett’s decision was that the Dáil had been silenced on an issue of fundamental importance to the administration of justice.

Legal advice

Minister for Finance Michael Noonan said he was happy with the way Mr Barrett acted in blocking the debate.

Speaking to reporters in Limerick on Friday, Mr Noonan said Mr Barrett had said “he was acting in accordance with legal advice”.

Mr Noonan said the Ceann that Mr Barrett “didn’t get a personal letter from Alan Shatter” but rather the solicitor group Gallagher/ Shatter “wrote to him formally as CeannComhairle and he got legal advice on his options and ruled accordingly”.

“That’s the position and I’m happy with that decision,” he added.

Debate wanted

Minister for Communications Alex White said Mr Barrett’s decision was not made by the Government, which wanted to see the debate take place.

“That’s a decision he made, it’s not a decision that the Government made and Government was very willing indeed for that debate to occur in relation to the commission – the interpretation fo standing orders was a matter for the ceann comhairle,” he said.

Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams denied a claim by Mr Barrett suggesting that Sinn Fein was attempting to undermine his position

Entirely unprecedented

Mr Adams said the events surrounding the motion in the Dáil were a “farce” and that a Standing Order was imposed in “an entirely unprecedented way” by the Ceann Comhairle to shut down debate on an extremely serious issue.

“Ramming the terms of reference for the commission though the Dáil, particularly on such an important issue, without debate was a serious and disturbing development,” he said.

“Sinn Féin, along with the rest of the Opposition, correctly withdrew ourselves from proceedings which were absurd.”