Justice Minister hits out at FG

Justice Minister John O'Donoghue has hit out at Fine Gael for refusing to identify the business interests which funded part of Michael Noonan's campaign for the party leadership.

Minister O'Donoghue accused Deputy Noonan and his deputy leader Jim Mitchell of "going to extraordinary lengths" to conceal the backers of their successful bid.

"These business interests invested substantial sums of money in order to bring about a change in the leadership of Fine Gael," he said.

"They have entered the political arena and the public has a right to know who they are".

Minister O'Donoghue said the matter was all the more inappropriate given Deputy Mitchell's position as Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee.