Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

They say that politicians talk a lot but say nothing. I am saying something. If people are to have faith in politicians in public life, there must be real accountability and truth on the part of the Government, not mere verbiage uttered by the Taoiseach.

We are not canon lawyers parsing phrases, analysing words or debating about angels dancing on pinheads. We are supposed to be legislators leading the people. We are Teachtaí Dála, messengers of the people, and that is all we are. We have no power but that which comes from the people and them alone. We are democrats paid by the people to conduct the public business.

Did the Taoiseach follow up on his attempts to retrieve money meant for Fianna Fáil from the former Minister, Mr. Pádraig Flynn, from Charles Haughey, Ray Burke and Liam Lawlor? Does he recall a matter that is the cause of consternation throughout the country, namely, whether he met Tom Gilmartin in the presence of the former Minister, Senator O'Rourke, and the circumstances in which that meeting took place? Does he recall these events and is he prepared to indicate whether he did or did not?

The people who fought for the freedom of this country, who founded this State and who gave their lives for this democracy might look at the farce being conducted by Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats, these keepers of the public conscience, and the mess they have made of Parliament and wonder whether it was all worthwhile. If the House holds this Government to account, their efforts may just have been worthwhile.

On what dates did the Taoiseach receive the letters from the tribunal? I understand he denied that he received a letter from the tribunal on 18 November. In the name of the people, public trust and attempts to restore decency to public life and in order to lead with honour, I demand that the Taoiseach break with his litany of the past, abandon the series of actions he has taken, give up foregoing political advantage for his party, deal with the truth and recognise that he is, after all, fully accountable to Dáil Éireann and, through it, to the people of the country. They have almost had enough.

As a public representative, I am appalled at the level of disaffection, cynicism and apathy that is being bred among people when they look at this political——

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