Micheál Martin’s Statement

A NUMBER of times last year and most recently at my party’s ard fheis this month I talked at length about the need to face up to past events in many sectors.

In relation to the tribunals I repeatedly said that when Judge Mahon reported, a fast and comprehensive response was required.

Throughout the country I heard from the thousands of people who make up the rank and file members of Fianna Fáil about their anger at the behaviour of those who let down the country and the party that helped them to achieve high office. Of all of the demands for action theirs has been the loudest.

I was also very aware that in the past these reports have been published with fanfare and left to one side to be ignored by the political system. That’s exactly what happened last year with the Moriarty Report.

I was determined that this would not be allowed to happen with the Mahon Report.

If some people, particularly those playing the usual political games, want to question my motives there’s nothing I can do about it and I’m not going to be distracted.

I fully stand over the actions which I announced on Thursday evening because the evidence they are based on is clear and the need for urgency is unchallengeable.

The facts outlined in the report and uncovered during the tribunal’s work are stark.

The systematic debasement of planning in much of Co Dublin 20 years ago is still a serious issue. All those who received what have been deemed to be corrupt payments must feel the consequences of their actions.

The findings against individuals are clear and unequivocal. The public have a right to expect that the law will continue to be used to hold them accountable in the courts — just as it has for some who have already been convicted.

Equally, the public has a right to expect that the parties who these individuals represented will take action.

Separately from that each party needs to act, that is why each of the persons against whom a finding has been made and is still a member of my party will next Friday face a motion of expulsion at our national executive.

The implications of the report for national politics are also stark.

Although the central allegation against Bertie Ahern was not sustained, the evidence confirmed by the tribunal and its comments relating to him are extremely serious. It’s not about one piece of evidence or one amount of money, but the accumulated impact of large amounts and a finding of the tribunal that the explanations it was given were untrue.

Achievements like the Good Friday Agreement are real and enduring. They cannot be denied but they also cannot absolve Bertie Ahern from facing the implications of this report.

The motion of expulsion which will be voted on next Friday is the only route available to us to assert the fact that he fell short of the standard of personal behaviour which all holders of public office should uphold.

Separately to its findings, the tribunal refers in its introduction to criticism of its work and what it believes was an attempt to “collapse” its investigations.

Contrary to what some people have said, this is not a finding of the tribunal and no specifics whatsoever are presented in relation to it. The tribunal did not put this point to individuals and it is not referred to in either the narrative sections of the report or the findings. The attempt by Fine Gael, in particular, to play politics with this is unfortunately typical of their approach at the moment.

The fact is that the report provides no details upon which a response can be given and it is not up to others to decide what instances the tribunal is specifically referring to. It is to be assumed that the tribunal does not view all criticism of its work as unacceptable, particularly given the criticism which it received from many sources including the judiciary and the media.

THE Fianna Fáil party I lead will not tolerate or fail to condemn abuse of public office — whether in our own party or, as both this report and the Moriarty Report have revealed, in others. I am determined to lead a party that will not permit any member to engage in behaviour that debases ourprimary duty which is to serve the people.

Much of the activity detailed in this report has been tightly controlled or banned for many years, overwhelmingly through legislation introduced by Fianna Fáil. I accept that there are still some actions which are required. Equally, it is also clear that questions remain about the planning process.

The decision last year by the Government to disband an independent review of planning decisions in five counties was wrong and it should be reversed. An independent review can be completed quickly, comprehensively and at minimum cost. If the political system is to demonstrate that it is serious about the Mahon Report then this is an essential first step.

Equally if the Taoiseach is genuine in his concern about the Moriarty and Mahon reports it’s time he stopped playing politics and addressed the very serious findings about Fine Gael members, fundraising and the awarding of the largest commercial licence in the State’s history.

I understand and share the anger and disappointment that many people will feel when reading the tribunal’s report.

I acknowledge that people have heard similar commitments from my party before, but my message to them is I understand the scale of the challenge we face rebuilding trust with people and there is nothing I take more seriously.