Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

I have little to add to what the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Gormley, stated. The tribunal was empowered by the Houses of the Oireachtas to perform a task. However, prior to the Taoiseach giving testimony the week before last, throughout his testimony and since his testimony a large number of Fine Gael Deputies established themselves as experts on banking practices, cross-examination and examination of witnesses, the inferences judges are supposed to find from the testimony of witnesses and every other matter.

Despite the fact that as Members of a party represented in the House they established this tribunal they refuse to accept the due process ordained by the House. They leaped to judgment in a particular context whereby the Supreme Court ruled only a few months ago that a definite list of matters of public importance exists which the tribunal must investigate. With regard to the Taoiseach, the only definite matter of public importance the tribunal is required by us to investigate is the allegations of Mr. Gilmartin. I will not comment on his evidence.

In so far as the Taoiseach is concerned, those allegations do not appear to have been disclosed to us. I find it difficult to understand how the Opposition parties can rush to judgment on the basis of an uninvestigated allegation. This is all we are at in terms of the tribunal and its inquiries with regard to any allegation against the Taoiseach. We do not have any evidence on the allegation itself and yet this evening we are meant on this basis to reverse and not accept the judgment the people made some months ago when they affirmed their confidence in him and not trust our own judgment but that of the banking, forensic and legal experts which the Fine Gael and Labour Deputies turned themselves into.

It is a pity they do not display more expertise on the position of Shannon Airport. Many of the employees of that establishment were outside the House today. They are extremely concerned about their future. As a Member of this Government I understand why they are concerned. They raised serious questions which we, as a Government, are trying to address. However, the Opposition was not interested in discussing this matter as an issue of first priority this evening. Its first priority was to resume a nasty campaign of character assassination against the Taoiseach and it was disappointing to see young Fine Gael Deputies whose mandates, like those of everyone else, only began last June engage with such relish in this operation——

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