Laffoy letter a political time bomb for Dempsey

JUSTICE Mary Laffoy’s resignation letter yesterday developed into a political time bomb for Education Minister Noel Dempsey.

The minister's refusal to publish the letter from the chairperson of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse was roundly condemned by the opposition, which portrayed it as a stalling tactic designed to buy time for the minister to deal with the crisis.

Increasingly last night, the Minister's future was seen as hinging on the contents of the letter. If Ms Justice Laffoy is seen to be highly critical of his role in the affair, it could seriously undermine his authority and his future as a minister.

Facing a day-long barrage of criticism, including calls for his resignation, Mr Dempsey retaliated with a robust defence of his, and his department's, role leading up to Ms Justice Laffoy's resignation.

He said he had discussed the matter with her and that his department had co-operated 'absolutely, totally and fully'.

He admitted there had been 'difficulties' in the relationship between his department and the commission. He also revealed Ms Justice Laffoy had 'reservations' about the impact the review of the commission's remit announced on Monday would have on the Investigative Committee. She had said it would have to suspend its work pending the outcome of the review. Mr Dempsey admitted his last discussion with Ms Justice Laffoy had been six to eight weeks ago.

The relationship between the commission and the department deteriorated earlier this year. On March 31, Ms Justice Laffoy openly chastised the department saying whatever confidence there was in completing the work quickly was being 'sapped away' by the department's inaction. Mr Dempsey yesterday asserted his department had supplied half-a-million documents and had co-operated at all times with the commission. He said problems emerged when the commission had sought documents on discovery, which he described as a 'slow process' that had led to delay.

Refusing to be drawn on Ms Justice Laffoy's decision, he said she would 'have to speak for herself'.

He added that the letter would be considered by the Government over the 'next week or so' and would be published within two weeks.

Fine Gael's education spokesperson, Olwyn Enright, described the controversy as a 'desperate attempt by the Government to find a way out of the mess it has made'.

"Why has Mr Dempsey declined to publish the letter?

What is he trying to hide?" she asked.