Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

During yesterday's statements on the Moriarty tribunal, the Taoiseach spoke for half an hour and during that time he managed many attacks on Fianna Fáil but he did not make a single statement concerning the actions and the handling of the awarding of the mobile telephone licence by Fine Gael and the Government in 1995. The specific actions he outlined were intended, in my view, to draw a line under the controversy without actually having to address the findings of the Moriarty report. The Taoiseach in his contribution yesterday stated, "We are responsible for our choices, responsible for our actions" yet he did not find anything whatsoever to criticise in the handling of this affair by the Government of which he was a member.

In the past, all parties in the Dáil agreed to censure a Member on tribunal-related matters. In Government, Fianna Fáil joined with Fine Gael, Labour, Sinn Féin and others to jointly censure the late Deputy Liam Lawlor. The Opposition parties have now all publicly supported a motion of censure of Deputy Michael Lowry. The Tánaiste signalled the Labour Party's position on Deputy Michael Lowry but the Fine Gael position remains unclear. Deputy Lowry's performance last night shows that he does not accept he has ever done anything wrong on any issue. I think the Dáil should be equally clear in its response to that position.

This morning, Fianna Fáil has circulated a text for a motion of censure, calling on Deputy Lowry to resign. Will the Taoiseach commit his party to supporting this motion and will he make time available for it to be debated in the House?

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