The Solidarity-PBP TD Paul Murphy has received confirmation from the Ceann Comhairle that his complaint regarding comments made by the Taoiseach and other Fine Gael members has been referred to the Committee for Procedure and Privileges.
Solidarity TD Paul Murphy wrote to the Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl urging him to look again at comments made by the Taoiseach and his ministers in the Dáil last Wednesday.
In an extensive letter signed too by his Dail colleagues, Mick Barry and Ruth Coppinger, Mr Murphy said the remarks "are defamatory and are in violation of Standing Order 61".
The Committee for Procedure and Privileges will adjudicate on the matter in the autumn.
It is already considering a complaint made about Mr Murphy's comments in the Dáil using Dáil privilege.
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During Leader’s Questions on Wednesday, Mr Murphy used Dáil privilege to accuse gardaí of committing perjury during his trial for the false imprisonment of former tánaiste Joan Burton and her adviser Karen O'Connell.
Mr Murphy called for a public inquiry to examine the difference between what was said by gardaí during the Jobstown trial, and what video evidence showed.
The Taoiseach said: "It may well be the case that the deputy was not engaged in kidnapping, but it was thuggery and your behaviour was wrong."
In his letter, Mr Murphy states that during the Dáil exchanges, the Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan said "more threats".
"This is a defamatory accusation implying that Deputy Murphy had previously made threats against members of the House or others," he wrote.
Mr Murphy's letter also claims that comments in the chamber by Fine Gael TD Bernard Durkan, Junior Minister Mary Mitchell O'Connor and Minister Heather Humpreys are in breach of Dáil rules.
