Deafening silence: Government ministers reluctant to give their views on the Taoiseach’s evidence to Mahon Tribunal
This follows the clear conflict that arose between Mr Ahern’s evidence and that of his former secretary, Gráinne Carruth.
Subsequently, Fianna Fáil’s partners in government, the PDs and the Greens, admitted there was “public disquiet” about the matter, and called on the Taoiseach to dispel it by issuing a clarifying statement.
On Sunday, despite being repeatedly asked, Agriculture Minister Mary Coughlan failed to state whether she believed Mr Ahern’s evidence.
Speaking to reporters in Galway yesterday, Enterprise Minister Micheál Martin similarly avoided giving a yes or no answer to the question — instead stating it was a matter for the tribunal to decide.
Given the pattern now emerging, the Irish Examiner yesterday asked each of the Taoiseach’s senior ministers two questions:
1. Do you fully believe the Taoiseach’s evidence to the Mahon Tribunal?
2. Do you believe the Taoiseach should immediately clarify the conflict between his evidence to the Mahon Tribunal and that of Gráinne Carruth?
The following are their responses:
Agriculture Minister Mary Coughlan [FF]: Had not responded at time of going to press.
Communications Minister Eamon Ryan [GP]: Referred the questions to Green Party’s government spokesman.
Arts Minister Seamus Brennan [FF]: His spokesman said: “The minister has always taken the view that he does not get involved in these type of general questionnaires.”
Community and Rural Affairs Minister Éamon
Ó Cuív [FF]:
Spokeswoman said the minister was on leave.
Defence Minister Willie O’Dea [FF]: “The tribunal was set up to investigate the planning process and the tribunal is the correct place to deal with all the issues that have arisen. The only verdict that matters is the tribunal verdict.”
Education Minister Mary Hanafin [FF]: A spokeswoman said: “Minister Hanafin is away until late tomorrow night.” Enterprise Minister Micheál Martin [FF]: A spokesman said: “The minister believes the issues should be dealt with within the confines of the tribunal. The tribunal was established by the Oireachtas and the minister believes it would be pointless to deal with testimony on a day-to-day basis.”
Environment Minister John Gormley [GP leader]:
Q1: Do you fully believe the Taoiseach’s evidence to the Mahon Tribunal?
A: The party’s government spokesman said: “This question is continually asked about a legal process still going on. Judgments about matters to be decided by the tribunal are not only unhelpful — they are dangerous and risk prejudicing the process.”
Q2: Do you believe the Taoiseach should immediately clarify the conflict between his evidence to the Mahon Tribunal and that of Gráinne Carruth?
A: “Green Party leader John Gormley has consistently said he has full confidence in the Mahon Tribunal to decide these matters. Last Thursday, Mr Gormley said that, in the exceptional circumstances of public disquiet arising from the Taoiseach’s former secretary’s evidence, further information from Mr Ahern would be helpful. Mr Gormley said the Taoiseach was experienced enough to know how and when he should do this.”
Finance Minister Brian Cowen [FF]: The minister was out of office yesterday following a family bereavement.
Foreign Affairs Minister Dermot Ahern [FF]: Q1: Do you fully believe the Taoiseach’s evidence to the Mahon Tribunal?
A: “I totally believe the Taoiseach that he did not get money from Owen O’Callaghan as alleged by [Tom] Gilmartin who lied about me in the tribunal.”
Q2: Do you believe the Taoiseach should immediately clarify the conflict between his evidence to the Mahon Tribunal and that of Gráinne Carruth?
A: “The tribunal is due to call him back to finish his evidence and the sooner the better.”
Health Minister Mary Harney [PD leader]: A spokesman said: “Last week, Mary Harney stated that she believes there is considerable public disquiet in the wake of the recent evidence given at the tribunal by Gráinne Carruth. Minister Harney called on the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern to try and dispel that disquiet. The minister believes it’s a matter for the Bertie Ahern as to how best that can be achieved.
The minister has nothing further to add.”
Justice Minister Brian Lenihan [FF]: 1. Do you fully believe the Taoiseach’s evidence to the Mahon Tribunal?
“The tribunal has been mandated by the Oireachtas to take evidence and make findings based on that evidence. I have consistently stated that the three tribunal judges are the only people qualified to adjudicate on the evidence before them. It is not for the media, the opposition or indeed government ministers to reach any conclusions on the evidence given by any witness, including the Taoiseach.”
2. Do you believe the Taoiseach should immediately clarify the conflict between his evidence to the Mahon Tribunal and that of Gráinne Carruth?
“The tribunal is the appropriate forum for dealing with such issues. The Taoiseach can, of course, make statements outside of that forum but that is a matter for him to decide having regard to his obligations to the tribunal.”
Social and Family Affairs Minister Martin Cullen [FF]:
“The tribunal was set up to investigate corruption in the planning process. At the end of the day, it is the tribunal verdict that will matter, no other one. Making judgment in advance of the full evidence being heard would be pointless and unfair.”
Transport Minister Noel Dempsey [FF]: Had not responded at time of going to press.
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