Independents call on Ming to quit

Independent TDs have rounded on Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan and called on the outspoken politician to leave the Dáil’s technical group because his penalty points shame is distracting from business.

Mr Flanagan admitted recently that gardaí quashed penalty points he received for using his phone while driving, and said that his role in their cancellation was “corrupt”.

Waterford TD John Halligan said this was a “very serious statement” for any TD to make.

“I would be likewise thinking with Finian [McGrath], I think he should probably step out of the group, but he’s unlikely to do that.

“We’re not in a position to discipline anyone in the group, we’re a group of independents. The technical group has no powers, it has no constitution, we’re not in a position to put a constitution together because that’s how it works in the Dáil.

“It is up to every individual if they want to stay in the group or leave the group. My preferred option... is that if you say you’re corrupt, well then, you shouldn’t be in the group.”

Under Dáil rules, Mr Flanagan cannot be forced from the technical group.

Finian McGrath said Mr Flanagan’s actions were distracting from Dáil business for the technical group. Fellow independent Thomas Pringle said it would be up to voters in Mr Flanagan’s constituency of Roscommon–South Leitrim to decide in the next election on what his fate would be.

Meanwhile, Mr Flanagan has this week admitted he made a “massive mistake” in failing to initially own up to having points wiped from his driving record by gardaí.

He helped front a campaign in recent months to expose the practice of quashing points. But he failed to ever admit his own position.

Speaking to the Leitrim Observer, he apologised to his supporters. But he also called on Taoiseach Enda Kenny to apologise for cuts to emergency services at his local hospital in Roscommon.

Mr Flanagan said: “[Mr Kenny] said he wouldn’t close Roscommon A&E, he wouldn’t criminalise turfcutters, and he wouldn’t put a tax on houses. It would be refreshing if he said he was sorry.”

Mr Flanagan said he would not resign, and added: “If I’m not in Irish politics no one will seriously tackle corruption.”

Mr Flanagan also admitted that when he was approached by two people to sort out his penalty points, he “should have refused and not accepted”.

Watch the Dail at 6 on Tuesday. I will reveal how Gardai contacted me to ask would I like my penalty points wiped. #wherearemypoints?

— Luke 'Ming' Flanagan (@lukeming) March 9, 2013

You'd be surprised to hear of the people who call you to offer to have points wiped. Not just Guards. Will tell all Tues #wherearemypoints

— Luke 'Ming' Flanagan (@lukeming) March 9, 2013

Sindo fails to mention that it was in fact Gardai who actually contacted me to have penalty points removed.All revealed&more in Dail tues.

— Luke 'Ming' Flanagan (@lukeming) March 10, 2013