Paul Murphy questions requirement for TDs to disclose past work
Paul Murphy asked whether a debate will be scheduled on a new principle proposed by a presidential candidate that TDs should declare previous professional work related to a topic before speaking in the Dáil. He challenged the logic of the proposal and asked whether the government intends to reject the candidate's position.
Paul Murphy opened by requesting a scheduled debate on the principle that TDs must declare past professional work before speaking on related matters in the Dáil, asking whether the government will pursue or disagree with the presidential candidate promoting the idea.
He used the Minister for Justice as an example, saying the minister "would have to declare, before he spoke about violence, if he was ever involved in defending a murderer," arguing that such a declaration would lead to an assumption of sympathy for criminals based on past professional roles.
Murphy referenced that he had heard views from opposition whips about barristers and reminded colleagues that there is a PMB tomorrow morning where the motion is the office of the president, suggesting there will be ample time to raise the issue then.
On a related procedural point, he noted Section 353 was raised and stated he believes the Garda are involved in the criminal investigation; he added that the minister will enter the house when it is the right time to do so.
Request for debate
Paul Murphy opened by requesting a scheduled debate on the principle that TDs must declare past professional work before speaking on related matters in the Dáil, asking whether the government will pursue or disagree with the presidential candidate promoting the idea.
Example involving the Minister for Justice
He used the Minister for Justice as an example, saying the minister "would have to declare, before he spoke about violence, if he was ever involved in defending a murderer," arguing that such a declaration would lead to an assumption of sympathy for criminals based on past professional roles.
Parliamentary timing and PMB
Murphy referenced that he had heard views from opposition whips about barristers and reminded colleagues that there is a PMB tomorrow morning where the motion is the office of the president, suggesting there will be ample time to raise the issue then.
Section 353 and Garda investigation
On a related procedural point, he noted Section 353 was raised and stated he believes the Garda are involved in the criminal investigation; he added that the minister will enter the house when it is the right time to do so.
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Transcript
Can I ask if we're going to schedule a debate about the new principle being espoused by a presidential candidate that TD should have to declare previous professional work relating to a topic before speaking on it in the Dáil. For example, the Minister for Justice, who actually has spoken well on this yesterday, I thought, but he would have to declare, before he spoke about violence, if he was ever involved in defending a murderer, for example, because it would then be assumed that he was sympathetic to murderers as a result. Or does the government not propose to pursue this and disagree with their candidate for president? I have heard the views from the various opposition whips in relation to barristers. Tomorrow morning, as everybody is aware, there is a PMB. And the motion is the office of the president. So I'm sure there's ample time there if somebody wants to raise an issue. In relation to the questions to the minister, in relation to Section 353 that you've just raised there, I believe at the moment that this is the Guardia involved in the criminal investigation. I have no doubt the minister will come into the house when it's the right time to do so.