Opposition to force debate on bribery allegations

Fine Gael leader Michael Noonan has said the opposition will use its own Dail time next week to deal with the controversy surrounding an independent TD’s accusations of bribery.

Fine Gael, Labour and the Green Party have boycotted Dail business for the past two days after the Govt refused to allow a debate on Tom Gildea’s comments.

Mr Gildea accused Fine Gael TD Nora Owen of accepting bribes from a cable company in exchange for pressuring Gardai into cracking down on independent cable operators.

He has apologised for any hurt caused to Ms Owen, but the opposition parties want the Government to censure him for abusing his Dail privilege.