Diarmuid Wilson (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Senator Barrett again raised the allegations made by a former Member of the House who is now a Minister of State to the effect that a senior Fianna Fáil Senator allegedly offered him a bribe to stay "onside", as is stated in the relevant newspaper article. As I stated yesterday, the Minister of State, Deputy Cannon, is a friend of mine and I like him. However, this is a very serious matter. The Minister of State has alleged, in a newspaper published in his native county, that a Member of the previous Seanad who is also a member of my party offered him a bribe to remain onside. The Minister of State did not report this matter to the Standards in Public Office Commission or the Garda. This is the first occasion that anyone in the Seanad has heard the allegation, which forms a substantial part of the relevant newspaper article. I am of the view that the article is slanderous of all of us in this House. Basically, it implies that we are only here for the money and jobs for life.

The Minister of State, Deputy Cannon, previously served in this House and was appointed as one of the Taoiseach's 11 nominees. Perhaps someone might examine his voting record during the period in question because, as I recall, he spent more time paired with another current Minister of State, Deputy Alan Kelly, than he did as a Member of the House.