Kenny pushes Tánaiste over Moriarty remarks

The Tánaiste must explain what he knows about the Moriarty Tribunal’s unpublished findings, Fine Gael Enda Kenny said today.

Justice Minister Michael McDowell suggested earlier this month that some TDs will have “a lot of answering to do” when the inquiry’s second report is published “in a couple of months”.

However the tribunal, which is probing payments to politicians and finished its current sittings in May, has not released any details about publishing forthcoming findings.

Mr Kenny asked Mr McDowell in the Dáil if he had any contacts with the Moriarty Tribunal.

He added: “The Tánaiste made comments outside the House about the Moriarty Tribunal, when reports one and two will be published and which members will be embarrassed by it. Has he been contacted about his public statements?”

Mr McDowell replied: “The Moriarty tribunal has never contacted me and the focus of its inquiries seems to be nearer to Deputy Kenny than to me.”

Fine Gael TD Billy Timmins added: “The Tánaiste has clearly stated that he has not been contacted by the Moriarty Tribunal, yet he stated that the focus of the inquiry is closer to Deputy Kenny. Could he elaborate on that?

Mr McDowell replied: “The deputy should read the newspapers.”

Speaking to reporters outside the Dáil on October 3, Mr McDowell said: “Some of the people there [the Dáil] today will have a lot of answering to do in a couple of months time when the second report of the Moriarty Tribunal is published.”

Mr McDowell made the comments after a Progressive Democrats’ parliamentary party meeting which decided to support the Taoiseach over controversial cash payments he received as Finance Minister in the early 1990s.

The Moriarty Tribunal, which began public sittings in 1998, has yet to produce its first report.

A spokesperson for the inquiry said that it doesn’t give advance notice of forthcoming reports.

The Taoiseach has said during Dáil questions in the past that he has no information on its work.

Mr Kenny warned tonight that if Mr McDowell had contact with the tribunal it would be inappropriate political interference with the work of an independent tribunal of inquiry.