O’Brien’s action a ‘threat’ to democracy

Legal action against the Dáil’s watchdog committee by tycoon Denis O’Brien has been branded an “unacceptable threat” to parliamentary democracy by Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin.

Mr Martin said the businessman should “stand back” after launching legal moves against the Dáil’s Committee of Procedures and Privilege (CPP), as privilege for Dáil members was protected under the Constitution.

The businessman has targeted members of the CPP in an action believed to concern the body’s decision that Independent TD Catherine Murphy did not abuse her position when she used Dáil privilege to make allegations about Mr O’Brien’s business affairs.