Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)

The House seldom debates a motion of this kind, particularly so soon into the parliamentary term after an election. An election is when the foundation of our democracy utters its opinion. Some Government Members have asked why the Opposition is doing this now as much of what is now known was known before the general election. That is not the case.

Opposition Members do not have a tribunal's capacity to cross-examine other Members. We certainly do not have 18 hours to do so. If we did, perhaps we would have got from the former Deputy, Ray Burke, the answers which were ultimately extracted from him in the tribunal. The sense of sympathy which I felt at the time for the man would have been replaced with a sense of outrage at the way in which he behaved. To suggest this side of the House is being opportunistic, devious or incompetent in not raising these matters last September is to ignore utterly the facts that have now entered the record.

The facts are, as Deputy Gilmore has simply said, that the Taoiseach's account of the money trail is unbelievable. Not that there is proof that money was given by certain individuals to names already in the public domain, but quite simply that this account of the money trail is unbelievable. That is the unanimous view of commentators and those who have had the patience and the time to listen through it. It is also, according to the most recent opinion poll, the view of the public in so far as this can be measured.

What is the obligation on the Opposition in this House in these circumstances? I believe we had no choice but to put down a motion of no confidence. We would be derelict in our duty if we did not so do. This is important because the very foundation on which democracy rests is that the people trust the politicians, that we are elected because we can be trusted. In any country which drifts away from that fundamental relationship, the basis of democracy is eroded along with its credibility. As we have seen in countries which have lost those standards and that relationship with the people, for whatever reason, the damage is virtually impossible to repair. If this was any other country in the European Union, the Prime Minister of the day would by now be sitting on the backbenches. There is no doubt in my mind that the standards we expect from other member states in the European Union, if applied here would, in fact, bring about that result.

As someone who has known the Taoiseach for very many years, I acknowledge that his historical contribution to this country is not in dispute. The speech that Deputy Mansergh gave to this House is one that could better be given to an Ard-Fheis. However, Deputy Mansergh's judgment in these matters has to be looked at in the context of his loyal service to Deputy Charles J. Haughey.

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