Surely Lucinda Creighton’s question concerning a certain media mogul trying to change the Dáil record would count as one of your ‘top stories’ too, no?

Here’s the transcript from the Dáil yesterday:

Deputy Lucinda Creighton: I ask the Taoiseach to unequivocally reject the demand made by Siteserv and Mr. Denis O’Brien to change the record of the House and interfere with the independence of the House.

An Ceann Comhairle: I am sorry, Deputy—–

Deputy Lucinda Creighton: As you know, this is a very important matter.

An Ceann Comhairle: It may be very important, but it is not suitable to be raised on the Order of Business.

Deputy Lucinda Creighton: You are the defender of the Members of Dáil Éireann on behalf of the people. The Taoiseach, as leader of the country, needs to make an unequivocal defense of the interests of Members of this House.

An Ceann Comhairle: I appreciate that the issue is important, but it is not suitable to be raised on the Order of Business.

Deputy Lucinda Creighton: As the Ceann Comhairle is aware, there is an attempt to silence Members of this House, as reported in newspapers over the weekend. It is an attempt to silence not only Deputy Catherine Murphy but all Members of the House. It is extremely important that democracy and free speech are defended. The Taoiseach should make his defence of the right of Members to speak freely and openly without fear or favour and without placing corporate interests ahead of the interests of citizens.

An Ceann Comhairle: The Deputy has made her point.

Deputy Lucinda Creighton: It is important that the Taoiseach respond to the point.

An Ceann Comhairle: Not on the Order of Business. I ask the Deputy to resume her seat while I reply to her. I will always defend the right of anybody to raise matters in the House provided they are in order and raised at the proper time. Any issue, such as the one the Deputy has just mentioned, will be dealt with at the Committee on Procedure and Privileges. If any action is to be taken, I will report back. I give an assurance—–

Deputy Lucinda Creighton: I have no doubt about the Ceann Comhairle’s integrity, but I do have a concern.

An Ceann Comhairle: There is no question of silencing anybody in the House as long as I am in the Chair.

Deputy Lucinda Creighton: I absolutely appreciate the Ceann Comhairle’s integrity, but the issue is important because the Taoiseach has been noticeably silent on it. There has been no response from the Government.

An Ceann Comhairle: No, that is a different issue.

Deputy Lucinda Creighton: There has been no reaction from the leader of the Government on an issue that goes to the very heart of our democracy – freedom of speech.

An Ceann Comhairle: The Deputy has made her point.

Deputy Lucinda Creighton: It is important that the Taoiseach make a statement on the issue.

An Ceann Comhairle: Will the Deputy, please, respect the Order of Business in terms of the matters that can be raised? If she wants to raise Topical Issue matters, I will certainly consider them.

Ends.

Its interesting Barret notes the importance of her question yet won’t allow it saying: “There is no question of silencing anybody in the House as long as I am in the Chair”, and he’s the very one who is silencing her!