The Taoiseach, Mr Bertie Ahern, has denied he is trying to avoid answering questions during the forthcoming Dáil debate on the interim report of the Flood Tribunal.
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Mr Padraig Flynn
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Mr Ahern dismissed accusations from the Opposition that he was trying to avoid answering questions, saying he would provide all relevant information about his relationship with Mr Ray Burke and his appointment as Minister for Foreign Affairs in 1997.
"But the debate isn't about me, the debate is about the content of the Flood report," he said this afternoon, adding that he had already answered all the questions he had to about Mr Burke during the Dáil debate on the former Minister's resignation.
The Tánaiste, Ms Mary Harney, said today the Government is not refusing to hold a full debate on the Flood Tribunal's interim report.
Ms Harney said the Taoiseach would answer all questions on the issue in the Dáil and all information would be put into the public domain.
Meanwhile, the former EU commissioner Mr Pádraig Flynn insisted today he is fully willing to co-operate with the Flood tribunal "in any way possible".
Speaking in Dublin this morning, Mr Flynn said he had nothing to hide from the inquiry.
The former Fianna Fáil minister said he had never "compromised" any element of public administration, at either local, national or international level.
"I've been co-operative in everything I've done so far," he said, adding he welcomed the tribunal's interim report.
Mr Flynn is expected to face questions at the Flood tribunal over claims by builder Mr Tom Gilmartin that he accepted a £50,000 bribe.
Mr Gilmartin said he paid Mr Flynn the money to get Fianna Fáil "off my back" on planning issues in 1989. The builder also accused the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, who was Minister for Labour at the time, of being aware of the donation to Mr Flynn.