Results 2,881-2,900 of 12,631 for speaker:Willie O'Dea

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".

Tribunals of Inquiry: Motion (30 Jan 2008)

Willie O'Dea: Deputy Kenny's remarks and general attitude led the editor of the newspaper to conclude——

Tribunals of Inquiry: Motion (30 Jan 2008)

Willie O'Dea: ——not only that the Deputy knew about the story, but also that he approved of it and saw it as being to Fine Gael's political advantage.

Tribunals of Inquiry: Motion (30 Jan 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The following day, Fine Gael denied any foreknowledge of the story and any association with the leak of material from the tribunal.

Tribunals of Inquiry: Motion (30 Jan 2008)

Willie O'Dea: This pattern of behaviour continues today.

Tribunals of Inquiry: Motion (30 Jan 2008)

Willie O'Dea: It has descended to new lows.

Tribunals of Inquiry: Motion (30 Jan 2008)

Willie O'Dea: That is what the editor said about Deputy Kenny.

Tribunals of Inquiry: Motion (30 Jan 2008)

Willie O'Dea: Okay. The Deputy has curried favour with his leader. I make the declaration.

Tribunals of Inquiry: Motion (30 Jan 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The motion proposed by Fine Gael and Labour is not about fair procedures or treatment.

Tribunals of Inquiry: Motion (30 Jan 2008)

Willie O'Dea: It is not about the expeditious conduct of the tribunal's business — it is about political invective. Fine Gael is using and abusing the tribunal process to do what it could not achieve by electoral or political means. The motion the Opposition has proposed this evening is a sham.

Tribunals of Inquiry: Motion (30 Jan 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The Deputies on this side of the House want the tribunal to finish the work it was asked to do. We want it to hear the evidence fairly and to report back to the House.

Tribunals of Inquiry: Motion (30 Jan 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The tribunal enjoys the support and encouragement of this side of the House in performing those tasks. We have given the tribunal the time, the support and the additional resources it has sought.

Tribunals of Inquiry: Motion (30 Jan 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The courts have examined the tribunal's processes and made their rulings. All we have ever asked is that the tribunal fairly and diligently discharge the task we set it over ten years ago.

Tribunals of Inquiry: Motion (30 Jan 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The Dáil has given the tribunal a job to do. It should now put an end to the political posturing that underpins tonight's Opposition motion——

Tribunals of Inquiry: Motion (30 Jan 2008)

Willie O'Dea: ——and let the tribunal get on with its work. Enough time has been wasted. We do not need to waste any more.