Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)

It is unfortunate that so much of today's debate has been consumed in dealing with the Minister's comments on Deputy Howlin and former Deputy Jim Higgins, MEP. This should have been a serious debate on the recommendations of Mr. Justice Morris and the huge amount of work done by the tribunal with 680 days of oral evidence and 812 witnesses. Unfortunately, because of the manner in which the Minister, Deputy Dermot Ahern, made his opening contribution, we find ourselves focused on the propriety or otherwise of the actions of Deputy Howlin and former Deputy Jim Higgins.

I disagree with the views expressed by Mr. Justice Morris in regard to our colleagues. I think he was wrong and I will explain my reasons for so thinking presently. I disagree even more strongly with the views expressed by the Minister and the unfortunate manner in which he expressed them. It should have been acknowledged by all sides of the House that Deputy Howlin and Mr. Higgins have done the State an outstanding service.

I acknowledge that Mr. Justice Morris raised the issue of what Members should do when they receive allegations. It is an issue which has confronted all of us at one time or another and I would like it to be addressed by the House in an objective manner. As Deputy Howlin has defended his position with great vigour, I will not attempt to better him on the detail. However, having personally faced that dilemma, it appears to me that he and Mr. Higgins had two options. They could have used or abused parliamentary privilege to make open allegations in the House or they could have dealt with the issue privately with the then Minister for Justice, which is what they did. I am glad they did not abuse parliamentary privilege in any way. They did the right thing by privately presenting whatever information they possessed to the then Minister.

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