Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent) | Oireachtas source

That is what he said in response to my question. He said that if he had been asked about this issue he would have put it on the record. That shows, therefore, the way he feels about it. Earlier, the Tánaiste said there was no personal gain for him in this, and I accept that there probably was not any personal gain for him. In reality, however, this leak took place a month before the local elections and the elections to the European Parliament, which was the first challenge the Tánaiste faced as the Fine Gael leader. There was motivation, therefore, to stop the NAGP campaigning and canvassing against Fine Gael candidates around the country. Would that have been enough motivation for the Tánaiste to do this?

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