Tánaiste refuses to comment on Michael Lowry's integrity after DPP receives file on Moriarty Tribunal

Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are expected to form the next government with the Regional Independents — led by the Tipperary TD

Tánaiste Micheál Martin at the Young Scientist exhibition in the RDS, Dublin, on Thursday. Mr Martin said that, despite his call in 2011 for Mr Lowry to resign from the Dáil, he has been elected in every subsequent election by voters in Tipperary. Picture: Leah Farrell/RollingNews.ie

Tánaiste Micheál Martin has declined to say if Independent Tipperary TD Michael Lowry is a man of integrity, as the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) receives a file on the Moriarty Tribunal.

Negotiations to form the next government are currently underway, with Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael expected to coalesce with the Regional Independents — led by Mr Lowry.

Gardaí confirmed that the file of the investigation — 14 years after it commenced — has been sent to the DPP, but declined to comment further.

The tribunal itself was established in 1997 to examine payments made to former taoiseach Charles Haughey and to Michael Lowry, an independent TD for Tipperary North and former Cabinet minister.

Asked if Mr Lowry was a man of integrity and if this was a prerequisite for going into government, Mr Martin said: “I’m not going to comment at this stage, given what we now know in terms of an investigation.” Pressed on this, Mr Martin said he could not comment generally due to the investigation.

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When questioned if he had concerns about negotiating with Mr Lowry to form the next government, the Tánaiste said a file being sent to the DPP created issues that are “to be reflected on”. He said that he needed to be careful about what he said, to not undermine gardaí, the DPP or the courts if a case is brought.

Mr Martin said that, despite his call in 2011 for Mr Lowry to resign from the Dáil, he has been elected in every subsequent election by voters in Tipperary. However, he rejected assertions that Mr Lowry was the “kingmaker” for the next coalition and that they would negotiate with the entire bloc of Regional Independents.

Mr Martin, however, confirmed that Mr Lowry did not want to hold ministerial office in the next coalition government.

“There’s a desire on behalf of the Regional Independent group that there will be ministerial positions at some level. That’s all subject to discussions and negotiations with the Regional Independent group,” he added.

Taoiseach Simon Harris said that government formation talks with the Regional Independents, which are yet to take place, would go ahead given all of their TDs were democratically elected in the general election.

“It’s very important that I and nobody else in political life says anything to cut across any independent processes that may or may not be underway,” Mr Harris said.

“We will sit down and negotiate with the regional independents, It’s a matter for them to decide who’s in their group.” 

He declined to say whether or not Mr Lowry was trustworthy on a personal level, instead saying: “On a personal level, I respect the mandate that every individual member of Dáil Éireann.” 

Mr Harris said that Mr Lowry’s position was not undermining government talks, saying that he was “confident” that a new coalition would be able to be formed.

In a statement, Mr Lowry denied all wrongdoing and said he had learned about the file from newspaper reports.

He said that last year he had "received a request for assistance from An Garda Siochana" and had "freely, voluntarily and willingly" met with them on one occasion and was "fully cooperative".

"This was the only engagement or correspondence I had with the gardaí over the 14 years since the report was published. At no point, on that occasion or since, was it suggested that there were or are any charges being contemplated against me. I am fully confident that there is no basis for any liability attaching to me.

"All those involved, including myself, have steadfastly maintained that there was no wrongdoing or impropriety attached to the award of the GSM licence, some 29 years ago. The award of the licence was made after a fully fair process, which included experienced members of the civil service and independent professional experts.

"Furthermore, the State ,through the Chief State Solicitor’s office have consistently and vigorously defended the award of the licence in long drawn out speculative civil cases taken by (just) two of the unsuccessful applicants."

Progress made on talks 

On wider government formation talks, Mr Martin said that “a lot of progress” has been made in discussions over the last week and that both Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael were “determined” to make it by January 22.

Asked if he was still sceptical of a new Department of Infrastructure, Mr Martin did not comment directly but instead said that delivery of projects would be a key focus of the next government.

“The new government will be very impatient with the absence of delivery or procrastination or any delays in getting projects over the line and getting things done,” Mr Martin said.

"The entire machinery of government has to be focused on delivering projects and programmes in a timely and more effective manner.” Mr Martin said infrastructure was a “key factor” that goes across all departments.