Noonan: I told you so

Michael Noonan has said that if his concerns about Liam Lawlor's presence at the Dail to hear a motion on his political future had been listened to, this morning's uproar at the West Dublin TD's appearance could have been avoided.

The Fine Gael leader said: "I deplore the behaviour of Deputy Liam Lawlor and the impact of his behaviour on the public's perception of politics and our political institutions.

"It is my view that his membership of the Dail has for some time been untenable and damaging to politics and that he should resign.

"I was concerned on Tuesday that the debate to take place in the House today calling for his resignation be an orderly debate that was in accord with our constitutional obligations.

"I regret that, when I raised in the House on Tuesday, the necessity for Deputy Lawlor's presence, my concerns were dismissed by the Taoiseach and subsequently widely rubbished outside the House in both official and unofficial briefings to members of the media.

"If the Attorney General (Michael McDowell) had taken a more considered approach to this issue and focused less on his general election ambitions, perhaps the Government would have got better advice and the House this morning would not have got into the difficulties which required our temporarily adjourning."