FF rules out ‘parallel inquiry’ over donations

FIANNA FÁIL will not consider taking any action against the failure of TD GV Wright and Senator Don Lydon to disclose hefty donations to an internal party inquiry in the 1990s until after the planning tribunal has concluded.

During Leaders’ Questions in the Dáil yesterday, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern came under sustained attack from Green Party Leader Trevor Sargent.

He criticised what he called the “chronic amnesia” of Senator Lydon and Deputy Wright. Senator Wright told the Mahon Tribunal this week that he forgot to tell the Fianna Fáil inquiry a £7,000 donation from landowner Christopher Jones in 1992. Deputy Wright also admitted he gave incorrect information to the Fianna Fáil inquiry held in the aftermath of Frank Dunlop’s allegations about corruption in 2000.

Deputy Wright received a £5,000 donation after he supported Dublin’s Ballycullen development in the 1990s.

Despite attempts by the Ceann Comhairle to rule the issue out of order, Mr Sargent succeeded in rattling the Taoiseach considerably.

“How will the Taoiseach explain the chronic amnesia from which his lieutenants, Deputy Wright and Senator Lydon, suffer? Is there something wrong with the water in Fianna Fáil offices or is it a case, as many suspect, that Fianna Fáil is a haven for aspiring wide boys?” he said

Mr Sargent said when he asked a basic question about payments in the Council in 1993, he was put “in a headlock” by a Fianna Fáil member. He went on to ask what anyone has to do to get thrown out of the Fianna Fáil party.

“Is that acceptable behaviour within the Taoiseach’s party? Is he going to do anything about it? Will he expel these members or sever his links with white collar crime? What must one do to be thrown out of the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party?”

Responding Mr Ahern made the verbal gaffe of the year: “I have never condemned wrongdoing in any area,” he said, before adding he meant to say “condone.”

Mr Ahern said his party had set up the Moriarty and Mahon tribunals to inquire into payments to politicians and into the planning process. The position of Fianna Fail was to “get to the end of any wrongdoing that was going on anywhere, including at Dublin County Council,” he said.

However, he stopped short of indicating how the party would respond to the actions of Senator Lydon and Deputy Wright.

Afterwards a statement from the Fianna Fail press office said the party did not, at this time, intend to distract from the Tribunal’s investigation by engaging “in a parallel inquiry which lacks statutory powers.”

“We have noted recent evidence given to the Mahon Tribunal. We will await the final determination of the Tribunal before deciding on whether any further action needs to be taken,” the statement said.