Beverly Flynn to refute allegations in Dáil
Yesterday, the Fianna Fáil TD said she looked forward to setting out the full situation and not the slant put on it by the media, while Mr Flynn condemned the leaking of confidential information and what he described as tribunal by media.
The Mayo TD denies the accusations of wrongdoing connected to her father’s infamous £50,000 cheque from property developer Tom Gilmartin. She said yesterday she will make a personal statement in Dáil Éireann today and contacted Government Chief Whip Mary Hanafin and Ceann Comhairle Rory O’Hanlon indicating her intentions.
Under Oireachtas rules, the statement will have to be cleared first by the Ceann Comhairle, while its contents must be non-argumentative, general and not generate further debate, meaning opposition parties will not get an opportunity to ask questions.
Ms Flynn said she looked forward to setting out the full situation as it really exists and not what she described as the slant that has been put on by some members of the media. However, she also said she does not know when, or if, she will be called to give evidence at the Planning Tribunal.
Speaking to the Irish Examiner after the revelations first emerged at the weekend, Deputy Flynn made a comprehensive rebuttal of the allegations. “I never benefited from any money, either directly or indirectly, paid by Tom Gilmartin to a third party.”
While admitting to setting up investments for her parents, Padraig and Dorothy, in her time as a financial adviser with NIB Bank, Deputy Flynn said they were all above board and she derived no personal benefit. “All of this will be established by the tribunal in due course. This matter and all around it has nothing to do with me.”
Meanwhile, Mr Flynn said yesterday the recent spate of leaks undermined the work of the tribunal. “Regarding the leaking of tribunal discovery documents made under the oath of confidentiality, it undermines the workings of the tribunal. I have said it on more than one occasion that tribunal by the media is wrong. I have not altered my stand,” he said.
Fianna Fáil’s internal ethics committee is likely to consider the issues arising from the accusations directed at Mr Flynn this week.
