Kenny demands the truth

THE Taoiseach must state clearly what he knew about disgraced former Fianna Fáil Minister Ray Burke’s activities and when he knew it, Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny demanded yesterday.

The depth of public outrage seen throughout the country since the publication of the Flood Tribunal report has rarely been seen, Mr Kenny said.

“Every day now, people are coming forward to say they gave the Taoiseach information, concerning his honourable politician, his man for the job, Ray Burke. Let me reiterate: What did he know and when did he know it? He should tell us now because we can handle the truth,” he said.

The Flood Tribunal revelations proves the need for rezoning decisions to be certified by an independent authority, Mr Kenny said. He also wants a permanent anti-corruption office to be set up in the wake of the findings that Ray Burke received corrupt payments during his career.

All political decisions made by Mr Burke throughout his career need to be investigated by the Government and the findings made public, Mr Kenny said.

“In the various cabinets, in the various governments in which Mr Burke served, he would have made proposals that were accepted by cabinet that would have affected individuals or organisations or certain issues.

“Those governments have political responsibility for those decisions so some analysis needs to be done on those governmental decisions in which Mr Burke was involved,” he said.

The suggestion that former Taoiseach Albert Reynolds passed on evidence about Mr Burke’s behaviour to Mr Ahern also needs to be clarified, Mr Kenny said.

The FG leader published the text of a motion to be tabled in the Dáil next week if the Government refused to have an open-ended debate on the interim report of the Flood Tribunal.

FG environment spokesman Bernard Allen said he wanted an independent National Land Use Commission to be established, headed by a High Court judge, to decide whether or not the zoning of land should be altered.

“It is a measure to rid the system of suspicion and cynicism,” Deputy Allen said.

FG justice spokesman John Deasy said an anti-corruption office, armed with judicial powers, should be set up to gather evidence in relation to corrupt acts and prepare prosecutions.

Describing the Government’s proposal for a Corruption Assets Bureau as a fig leaf and a joke, Deputy Deasy said the issue of corruption needed to be dealt with solidly.