Jimmy Harte (Labour)

Probably in common with other Members, the findings of the Mahon tribunal came as confirmation of something that had been going on for years in Ireland. However, anyone who has read Roman history will know that political corruption also existed in ancient Rome and ultimately brought down the Roman empire. What I have read constitutes a systematic violation of rules of an organisation by some of its members. In the context of the Fianna Fáil Party, I note this involved some members and that it is very easy to tarnish Fianna Fáil with one name. There are many fine politicians within the Fianna Fáil Party in this Chamber but some of its members disregarded both the other members and the country and ended up corrupting the entire country. What happened in ancient Rome is that paramilitary groups started up, dictatorships were established and this finally destroyed the Roman empire. One should be conscious of the damage corruption can do to one's country. Perhaps we are lucky that Mr. Colm Mac Eochaidh and another gentleman brought this issue to the fore and provided the country with an opportunity to discuss the corruption that took place. Hopefully, Fianna Fáil Party members will recognise what happened and will not merely state they intend to move on from this. When Members come to debate the tribunal's findings, I hope the debate will be reasoned but that they will put down a marker for the country. They should remember that while this is not the first incidence of corruption to happen in the world and certainly will not be the last, it should be the last for this country.