Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I have no wish to prolong the matter of the answers given by the Taoiseach under oath to the Mahon tribunal, nor have I any wish to concede to the views of those who would want to turn this into a personal and bitter political battle between us. The Taoiseach will note that in comments I have made on the matter, I have never raised the issue of his marriage or private life, which is of no interest to me. What is of interest to me, however, is the matter of public service and standards in public life. I disagree fundamentally with the Taoiseach on several issues in this regard. Arising from the answers the Taoiseach gave to questions that were put to him, and taking into account that a judge of the tribunal said that some of his comments were polar opposites, it now appears that the collective culture of the Fianna Fáil, Progressive Democrats and Green Party Government is that it is perfectly acceptable to receive large cash donations for personal use, and that one does not breach any ethical code as long as one does not do anything wrong. I disagree fundamentally with that concept.

In his address to the House of Commons, prior to the election, the Taoiseach was quoting Daniel O'Connell when he said "Nothing that is politically right can be morally wrong". Will the Taoiseach perhaps answer my questions in this House, the forum of the people? On 10 September 1997, arising from comments made here on the Dunnes payment to the late Mr. Haughey, the Taoiseach said in the House: "Mr. Haughey thereby laid himself open to the possibility 'that political or financial favours could be sought in return for such gifts, or even be given without being sought'." The Taoiseach went on to say: "if politicians are to give an effective service to all their constituents, or to all the citizens of the State, they must not be under a financial obligation to some constituents or some citizens only". He went on to say further: "we should not require of others what we are not prepared to practise ourselves". Finally, the Taoiseach said: "We must make it clear in this House by our actions that we are going to insist on the highest standards in public life. It would be very dangerous, if the message were ever to go out, either here or abroad, however ill-founded, that Government here operates on the principle of backhanders, or that there are golden circles with a high entrance fee. We must nip that notion in the bud once and for all". The Taoiseach concluded by saying: "The public is entitled to have an absolute guarantee of the financial probity and integrity of their elected representatives, officials and, above all, Ministers." It is a core value outlined by the Taoiseach, who spent 18 hours giving evidence before the tribunal, and there are still many questions. They were the standards the Taoiseach applied to Mr. Haughey. They were the standards the Taoiseach set down. Why do these standards do not apply to himself?

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