Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)

The Taoiseach's decision to respond to the wishes of the House and the people by setting up a tribunal has proved — he could not have had foresight of this — to be the longest political touch-kick in history. It has insulated him from many of the great matters his party has been involved in and concerned with in the past. Six years later we do not know any answers to these questions and the proposition is now being put forward by his spokespersons that this matter cannot be raised in Dáil Éireann because it is a matter for the tribunal. We contest that proposition.

Therefore I ask the Taoiseach is this all he has to say. He read a script which I presume was being crafted for him for the past four days, although it shows no signs of it, and concentrated on an allegation that no one in this House ever made. Does he say that this is the extent of the action and that due process will look after the rest? Will he sack Deputy Cooper-Flynn? That is the only action people outside, including Fianna Fáil people and Fianna Fáil voters, want to see. They want to see action being taken by the Taoiseach as leader of the party and Head of Government. Will he sack her and when she gets her day in court and we hear due process, he can readmit her? Is that not what he does anyway with the ones who go voluntarily? Will he sack her or does he fear that when Mr. Flynn goes into the witness box he may have some things to say that are not in accord with the historical record of the House?

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