Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Ceann Comhairle and will try to be as brief as I can.

I come to the House with the belief that the truth is certainly more powerful than the most baseless of political attacks. I intend to address private issues here today, frankly and fully, even though I believe they have nothing to do with my public responsibilities, have never influenced me on any public policy and represent absolutely no conflict of interest. I will answer charges which were made, based on what I believe were calculated and scurrilous leaks of material given to a tribunal in confidence. I will talk plainly about what are personal, sensitive matters that properly concern my family and my private life. I acknowledge what Deputy Kenny has said in that regard. I do all this because a person, or persons, accessed confidential material before a tribunal and twisted and turned that material into a political smear campaign with no regard for the truth or the institutions that govern our society. I do it, in the end, to protect the rights of every citizen.

Before I deal with the facts at hand, I want everyone in this House and all the people of this nation to understand one truth above all else. Never, in all the time I have served in public life, have I taken a bribe or in any way put my personal interest ahead of the public good. I have served this State honestly and I defy anyone to prove otherwise. For many years I have endured all sorts of allegations that have proven to be false. Perhaps this is part of the price one must pay for the honour of standing in the House as Taoiseach and of serving in Government and I understand that. I have never dishonoured any office in my responsibility, in answer to Deputy Kenny's question. While I will be the first to admit I have made mistakes in my life and career, one mistake I have never made, and never will make, is to enrich myself by abusing or misusing the trust the people of this nation have placed in me. The Flood — now Mahon — and Moriarty tribunals were set up to investigate corruption in our planning and political processes. Following on from the McCracken tribunal and its revelations, the Government, of which I was Taoiseach and on my insistence, determined to get to the bottom of controversies in our planning and political processes. Our resolve was clear and our policy was plain. A thorough investigation would purge our system of wrongdoing. Nine years on, the Moriarty tribunal is coming to a conclusion and its report is imminent. The Mahon tribunal continues with its work. I have supported and assisted both tribunals at all times. I have provided all documentation requested, sworn affidavits, given statements of evidence and had no difficulty with this. It is my duty. I see it as my duty to co-operate and have done so. I have willingly contributed to inquiries that helped to end the corrupt practices of the past which damaged confidence and trust in our political system.

In setting up the tribunals, I do not believe any of us foresaw that some would debase their roles by deploying them as instruments for making false, malicious and baseless allegations. That kind of cynical manipulation and smear campaigning can be as damaging to our political system as actual corruption. It creates an atmosphere where all politicians are tarnished and trust in our institutions is eroded. I personally have been the subject of a series of lurid allegations, which somebody referred to today as being "very colourful". They might be colourful, but I gave all the facts about my life, including my personal life, in order to prove that these allegations were untrue. Other issues arose and I accept that but allegations were made that I took a bribe of €50,000 from Denis 'Starry' O'Brien.

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