Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)

The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform has said he was "aware of the allegations of tax evasion against former Fianna Fáil Minister, Pádraig Flynn, for some time." He mentioned the allegations of tax evasion, not of taking the money. Did the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform discuss this matter with the Taoiseach and, if so, what action did the Taoiseach take as a result?

There is very little point in saying to the House, as has been the mantra of Fianna Fáil spokespersons over the past three or four days, that everyone is entitled to due process and that these matters are not appropriate, as the Minister, Deputy Cullen, said, to this House but are matters for the tribunal. Deputy Peter Power repeated that mantra this morning. Of course everyone is entitled to due process but nobody appreciated that due process would take the number of years involved. Is the Taoiseach arguing that political activity on great issues such as tax evasion ought to be frozen in time until the planning tribunal has completed its work? He will be long on a Zimmer frame before that happens, and I will be with him, or near him, I hope.

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