Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

The Deputy has made a statement of his views and there is no point in me trying to change any of them. As I said last week, the sentence imposed on Mr. Ray Burke on Monday of last week demonstrated that any citizen who breaks the law will face its full rigours. I am satisfied that justice has been done and been seen to be done. The people can, therefore, have faith in our system of justice. Of course, as Deputy Joe Higgins has reminded the House, the powers and rules of the tax amnesty and the penalties within that were where former Minister, Mr. Ray Burke, got unstuck. That is how he has ended where he is today.

Yes, I have been criticised for appointing Mr. Ray Burke to the Cabinet almost eight years ago. As I have said, my decision was based on what my bona fide view was then. If I knew then what I know now years later after all of the investigations, I would not have appointed him. Not only I, but several other Members congratulated him at that time. Even when he came before the House, people were prepared to give him the benefit of the doubt. That is what happens.

With regard to all of the other matters raised by the Deputy, he obviously has much evidence. I have not read in the newspapers that he brought all that evidence to the Mahon or Moriarty tribunals, but I think he should do so.

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