Lawlor must resign if unco-operative, Ahern says

The Taoiseach has said Liam Lawlor will have to resign his Dail seat if he fails to co-operate with the Flood Tribunal in the coming months.

Bertie Ahern was responding to a letter from Fine Gael leader John Bruton on Thursday, which sought cross-party support for a call on Mr Lawlor to resign.

In a letter to Deputy Bruton, Mr Ahern said that if Liam Lawlor failed to co-operate with the tribunal, his seat would be untenable.

The Government is to table a motion to this effect when the Dail returns on Tuesday week.

Replying to Mr Ahern's letter, Deputy Bruton said it appeared to distance the Government from Deputy Lawlor while still allowing it to call upon his vote in the Dail.