The Dáil was adjourned twice yesterday amid heated exchanges between the Government and Opposition. During the exchanges, the Fine Gael spokesman on justice, Mr John Deasy, was ordered to leave the Chamber.
The exchanges took place during Question Time to the Minister for Justice, Mr McDowell. Questions were taken by the Ministers of State at the Department, Mr Brian Lenihan and Mr Willie O'Dea, in the Minister's absence.
Mr Deasy insisted he was not getting answers to his questions. "Justice legislation is churned out, and much of it is not enforced or is unenforceable. It must be dealt with on a scientific basis."
As he continued to speak, the Ceann Comhairle, Dr Rory O'Hanlon, adjourned the House for 10 minutes. When it resumed, Dr O'Hanlon moved a motion that Mr Deasy be suspended.
Earlier, Mr Deasy said that last week the Department of Justice had issued a statement regarding crime statistics. It had said, he added, that the reductions in violence and public order offences followed the enactment of the Public Order Bill and the Intoxicating Liquor Bill, which gave significant additional powers to the Garda to deal with public order and street crime.
"Somebody is misleading somebody else. A Department and a Minister make a statement with regard to two pieces of legislation, but say they do not have the figures to back that up, and will not provide a deputy in this House with the figures.
"There is a massive fundamental contradiction here. This exposes entirely the sham procedure in this House. It has turned into an exercise in concealment more than anything."
When Mr Deasy said he deserved answers from the Ministers of State, Dr O'Hanlon said he would investigate the matter.
As Mr Deasy persisted, the Ceann Comhairle accused him of being "disorderly and repetitive".
Mr O'Dea said he was happy to answer questions put by any House member if they were allowed by the Ceann Comhairle.
Amid new exchanges, Dr O'Hanlon again adjourned the House.
The Labour spokesman on justice, Mr Joe Costello, claimed that Mr McDowell had made misleading statements outside the House regarding recent Garda figures on crime levels. He had indicated that legislation put through the House was responsible for the decrease in crime levels.
"However, at the same time he will not inform the House in reply to parliamentary questions what legislation has led to this reduction in crime. The Minister is swanning around, manipulating the figures and operating a public relations machine to convince the public that he is doing a fantastic job and he is a wonderful Minister. But he will not come to the House."
In a statement last night, the Department of Justice said Mr McDowell was unable to take Question Time yesterday because he was accompanying the Taoiseach to talks in London with the DUP.
