Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)

This motion is more to do with the attempt by Fine Gael and its leader to recover the initiative which has been snatched from them by a very eager new leader of the Labour Party whom I congratulate on his appointment. The Fine Gael motion is nothing short of political grandstanding.

As the Members opposite know very well, the Oireachtas set up the tribunal and requested its report. It is for the members of the tribunal to assess the evidence, draw up a report and make the findings as they see fit. I too heard this being said in 1997 when I first became a Member of this House. This is what the Oireachtas asked the tribunal to do and it is what many of the Members opposite voted for in 1997. It suited their political agenda then but it does not seem to suit them now. This is another flip which I am sure will be followed by another Opposition flop. What the Opposition is trying to do is pre-empt the tribunal's report while at the same time trying to call the verdict. This is predictable but no less outrageous for it.

The Taoiseach has given his evidence about moneys he received from friends in the period surrounding the conclusion of his separation. There is no allegation of corruption or wrongdoing against the Taoiseach. He explained this during the election and he explained it in this House last October.

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