Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)

Only this morning, when talking about certain matters that have come to light and will be referred by Fine Gael to the Mahon tribunal, as mentioned by Deputy Coveney, Deputy Mansergh told the nation on radio that the matters are both insignificant and irrelevant. Yet he spoke this morning in the House about prejudging.

Deputy Cuffe made a point about the independence of the Judiciary and the separation of powers. I agree with what he said on both counts. I advise Deputy Cuffe and his Green Party colleagues not to direct their ire towards this side of the House. If he respects the independence of the Judiciary and upholds the separation of powers, let him address the matter to his Fianna Fáil colleagues in Government, with whom he shares a lot of time, particularly in recent months.

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