Paul Murphy Challenges Taoiseach Over 'Puppets of Putin' Comment
Paul Murphy raised a formal point of order alleging the Taoiseach was out of order for describing Deputy Boy Barrett, Deputy Barry and himself as "puppets of Putin" and asked for the remark to be withdrawn. He cited specific Chair rulings and defended free speech, warning against suppressing legitimate debate in the Chamber.
Point of order and request to withdraw
Paul Murphy told the Chair that the Taoiseach's description of Deputy Boy Barrett, Deputy Barry and himself as "puppets of Putin" was a smear and asked that the comment be withdrawn. He framed the request as a formal procedural challenge under the rules of the House.
Reference to Chair rulings
He cited salient ruling 417 to argue members may not say another member is taking orders from outside interests, and referenced rulings 413 and 412 on allegations that impugn a member's character and on the Chair's protection against innuendo and insinuation.
Defense of free speech and debate
Murphy emphasised his support for free speech, saying he cherishes the right to speak and that the Parliament is a bastion of free expression. He warned against efforts to suppress legitimate debate in the Chamber and noted past accusations against him - including being called a puppet of NATO and being associated with killings - while stressing he has not sought to interfere with others' rights to speak.
Procedural close and seating
He used his time to expand on the point of order and concluded by indicating his desire for the matter to be addressed, then welcomed Dr Marks to the Chamber. The remarks focus on procedure, parliamentary standards and the protection of members from alleged personal smears.
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Thanks, Asking Court. I want to give my time to expand upon the point of order that I raised earlier. I have studied the salient rulings of the Chair and I believe that the Taoiseach was clearly out of order in describing Deputy Boy Barrett, Deputy Barry and myself as puppets of Putin. Salient ruling 417. Member may not say that another member is taking orders or instructions from outside interests or is representing or speaking for such interests. I think it's very clear that was the smear involved in the comment puppets of Putin. 413. If an allegation impugns the character, integrity and good name of a member, it must be withdrawn. 412. Chair protects members against innuendo, insinuation and allegation. So I am asking the last councillor to instruct the Taoiseach to withdraw those remarks. In respect of Deputy Murphy, again, I would just make the point that you and others have constantly made all sorts of allegations and assertions against me and against others in government and you seem to have no issue with them at all. I think in the context of debate within the Chamber, it's important that we don't try and suppress debate. You accuse me of being a puppet of NATO, essentially, on repeated occasions you have. But in any event, look, I know the implications. You associate us with all sorts of killings and so on like that. And that's, by the way, I don't deny your right to say things. I've never have even attempted to interfere with your right to say things. I cherish the right to free speech. And I think the Parliament is a bastion of that. And I think we need to be careful now of going too far in trying to suppress debate and legitimate debate in a chamber. And that would be my question. Please welcome Dr Marks. Thank you.
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