Results 9,701-9,720 of 12,604 for speaker:Willie O'Dea

Tribunals of Inquiry: Motion (30 Jan 2008)

Willie O'Dea: In his interim report, Mr. Justice Flood observed that he was "unable to resolve conflicts of evidence". He acknowledged the need for urgency. When he formed the opinion that continued questioning would not resolve conflicts of evidence, he said so and moved on.

Tribunals of Inquiry: Motion (30 Jan 2008)

Willie O'Dea: It is curious to note that despite his many hours of testimony, the Taoiseach has yet to be asked a direct question about whether he received money from Mr. Owen O'Callaghan, as alleged by Mr. Gilmartin.

Tribunals of Inquiry: Motion (30 Jan 2008)

Willie O'Dea: Another aspect of this matter that should concern all of us is the constant leaking of tribunal information. The tribunal pointed out in a statement earlier this month that the "unauthorised disclosure of confidential information in advance of public hearings . . . . . may also be perceived . . . . . as potentially damaging the reputation and integrity of the tribunal". These are the...

Tribunals of Inquiry: Motion (30 Jan 2008)

Willie O'Dea: There is a considerable volume of jurisprudence, in Ireland and overseas, on how tribunals should conduct their business. As Mr. Justice Moriarty, who knows something about such matters, said in a recent judgment: It cannot be emphasised too often that tribunal proceedings are not adversarial but inquisitorial. They are not a means of establishing criminal or civil liability. He went on to...

Tribunals of Inquiry: Motion (30 Jan 2008)

Willie O'Dea: A number of official Fine Gael spokespeople have asserted——

Tribunals of Inquiry: Motion (30 Jan 2008)

Willie O'Dea: ——that the Taoiseach has lied and perjured himself at the tribunal.

Tribunals of Inquiry: Motion (30 Jan 2008)

Willie O'Dea: These attempts to disrupt the tribunal process are not random acts by errant members. They are part of a concerted and co-ordinated effort endorsed and now fronted by the Fine Gael leadership.

Tribunals of Inquiry: Motion (30 Jan 2008)

Willie O'Dea: That was not always the case.

Tribunals of Inquiry: Motion (30 Jan 2008)

Willie O'Dea: When Deputy Kenny answered a question from a journalist——

Tribunals of Inquiry: Motion (30 Jan 2008)

Willie O'Dea: Deputy Kenny quoted——

Tribunals of Inquiry: Motion (30 Jan 2008)

Willie O'Dea: ——the Taoiseach earlier, but now I wish to quote him.

Tribunals of Inquiry: Motion (30 Jan 2008)

Willie O'Dea: On 17 April 2007, Deputy Kenny answered a journalist's question about whether he saw things descending into a bitter personal battle between himself and the Taoiseach.

Tribunals of Inquiry: Motion (30 Jan 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The noble Deputy Kenny replied——

Tribunals of Inquiry: Motion (30 Jan 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The Deputies Opposite will not shout me down.

Tribunals of Inquiry: Motion (30 Jan 2008)

Willie O'Dea: I want to read Deputy Kenny's words into the record of the House. His colleagues should listen to their leader's words.

Tribunals of Inquiry: Motion (30 Jan 2008)

Willie O'Dea: Deputy Kenny said approximately nine months ago: Let me give you this guarantee. I have never involved myself, in 32 years in public life, in personal animosity or personal degradation of any candidate, irrespective of who they represent, all parties and none.

Tribunals of Inquiry: Motion (30 Jan 2008)

Willie O'Dea: During the same interview, Deputy Kenny also said: I have no interest in the personal affairs of Bertie Ahern. I have no interest in his personal finances. It is none of my business. I read the allegations on Sunday's papers as well. These allegations have been with a tribunal set up by this State for quite some time.

Tribunals of Inquiry: Motion (30 Jan 2008)

Willie O'Dea: It would be tempting to wonder about how much has changed over the past nine months, if it were not for the fact that Deputy Kenny did not take nine months to change his position. On the same morning, 17 April 2007, Deputy Kenny was seen loitering in the vicinity of a certain café in Ballsbridge, where he encountered the editor of a major national newspaper.

Tribunals of Inquiry: Motion (30 Jan 2008)

Willie O'Dea: When speaking about a story to be published by the newspaper in question the following day, arising from——

Tribunals of Inquiry: Motion (30 Jan 2008)

Willie O'Dea: ——a tribunal leak, Deputy Kenny said "this is going to be big".