Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

At all times yesterday and today I have attempted to make time available to debate this. There was some debate about how that time could be made available. I made it clear that I wanted to make time available, as I have done several times in this House, unlike what was done in previous years.

As regards Pádraig Flynn channelling £50,000 through bogus accounts, there should be no doubt about my position on the general principle — tax evasion is wrong and encouraging anyone to engage in tax evasion is equally wrong. Legislators and institutions, public or private, are all bound to observe and uphold the rule of law. No politician in this country has done more to tackle tax evasion. I continually try to do that and will do so in strengthening laws and promoting compliance.

In the first instance, I know nothing. People outside the House asked me to answer here today about Mr. Flynn's finances. I know no more about them than Deputy Kenny or Deputy Rabbitte would know about any of the issues that come up in their parties over the years, and I do not particularly want to know about them.

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