Is FG as open as it claims to be?

TAOISEACH Enda Kenny has asked for the Moriarty Tribunal report to be referred to the DPP and Garda Commissioner for further investigation.

This is surely an empty gesture as Mr Kenny would be aware that the findings of a tribunal of inquiry cannot be used in a criminal case.

Michael Noonan, when Fine Gael leader, banned corporate donations to that party in 2001 as he recognised that financial support from business to politicians is perceived by the public to have one purpose — the securing of commercial advantage.

Kenny reversed this policy. Indeed, Minister Leo Varadkar’s defence last year of Fine Gael’s decision to take corporate donations from developers linked to NAMA and more recently his refusal to name attendees of a fundraising event pose very serious questions regarding the culture within this party.

Fine Gael states it is committed to banning corporate donations in government and Fine Gael’s Frank Flannery reportedly offered access to the party’s accounts prior to the election.

However, efforts by Donna Cooney (Green Party candidate) to view these accounts were met with a closed door.

FG claims to be open and transparent. However, this does not appear to be the case.

Róisín Lawless

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