FF fury over ‘political stroke’ claim

The banking inquiry is at the centre of a major political row ahead of its first meeting scheduled for this week, with Fianna Fáil urging senior ministers to withdraw "misleading" accusations that it engaged in a "political stroke" to nominate a member to the committee.

Finance Minister Michael Noonan said the decision last Thursday to add two Government members to the inquiry team — senators Susan O’Keeffe (Labour) and Michael D’Arcy (Fine Gael) — was to bring the committee to the “normal practice” of reflecting the Dáil strength of parties.

“The only reason this committee ended up not reflecting what was normal practice since the State was founded was that some Labour senators did not turn up for the vote and Fianna Fáil took advantage of that by putting one of their senators in, contrary to the agreement,” he said.

“So really what the Taoiseach is doing is taking it back to the status quo ante, where the committee reflects the strengths in the Dáil. And as I say that is normal practice. Fianna Fáil pulled a stroke, because Labour senators were absent. Fair dues to them. This happens in Leinster House all the time.

“The stroke is now being reversed. So it’s not a huge issue and I hope now that members of the committee will get down to doing what they are selected to do.”

Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore accused Fianna Fáil of being against the holding of the inquiry before it even gets under way. “Some people have an interest in making sure that there isn’t a banking inquiry and I think first to the table on that is Fianna Fáil, sure they don’t want to have a banking inquiry at all,” he said.

Fianna Fáil urged both ministers to withdraw the remarks, saying they made “unfounded accusations” and misrepresented what happened at the meeting where the party’s senator, Marc Mac Sharry, was voted onto the committee.

“Far from participating in any sort of stroke, Fianna Fáil have been relentless in our co-operation with other parties and Independents,” said Fianna Fáil leader, Micheál Martin.

“There was no agreement on who should represent the Seanad, which is what necessitated the meeting in the first instance.”

He said the Government set the timing of the meeting. “When it was clear that the Labour Party’s nominee was not in attendance, the Fianna Fáil chair offered government representatives an adjournment until such times as more representatives could attend,” he said. “This offer was refused and the meeting proceeded with a vote. The meeting then selected Professor Seán Barrett and Marc Mac Sharry.”

Mr Martin said ministers seem not to understand the damage that has been done over the last week. “I would call on Ministers Gilmore and Noonan to reflect on what they have said, acquaint themselves with facts of the last few weeks, and withdraw their remarks.”