Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

Fine Gael sought the advice of an eminent senior counsel on whether this contribution was relevant to the Moriarty tribunal and its remit. Based on the evidence given to that senior counsel - the background information, the notes about meetings and all the rest of it - the eminent senior counsel said that in his opinion, it did not fall within the remit of the Moriarty tribunal. One has to apply political common sense to these things as well. I would have disagreed with that decision. In hindsight, obviously, Fine Gael would have sent that information to the tribunal. That is what happened when that information was leaked. As I have said, the then leader of the party, Deputy Noonan, sent the entire file down to the tribunal and asked that it be assessed and considered. It is given particular treatment in the findings of the sole member - it is said to be distinguishable from other contributions. I would have taken a different view about sending it to the tribunal in the first instance. I assume it is easy to be wise in hindsight. I wish to inform Deputy Adams that I will publish the senior counsel's advice this evening so that nobody needs to be in any doubt about the legal advice in the information that was given to the party by a senior counsel.

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