Taoiseach Brian Cowen tonight challenged Sinn Féin’s Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin to make allegations over his contacts with ex-Anglo Irish Bank chiefs and face being sued.
Mr Cowen demanded Mr O Caolain not abuse Dáil privilege and come out in public with accusations concerning the controversial round of golf and dinner he shared with Sean FitzPatrick in July 2008.
The Sinn Fein TD questioned why Mr Cowen only revealed he was joined at the dinner by two other business chiefs - one an Anglo director at the time - at the end of an hour long public grilling last week.
“There is no relevance whatever to me having a dinner in relation to what I do in the course of my duties,” Mr Cowen said.
“If you have any suggestions to the contrary, if you have any evidence to the contrary, don’t abuse the privilege in this House. Go outside and say it and I’ll see you in court. That’s as simple as that.”
Under pressure from Mr Ó Caoláin last week Mr Cowen revealed to the Dáil he and Mr FitzPatrick were joined for dinner in Druid’s Glen by Gary McGann, chief executive of Smurfit Kappa, who was a director of Anglo at the time, and Alan Gray, an economist appointed to the Central Bank board by the Taoiseach.
But Mr Ó Caoláin accused Mr Cowen of dodging the question.
“I asked you a number of questions, but as usual, like the master of mutter who preceded you, you didn’t answer them.”
Mr Cowen again reiterated he had done nothing inappropriate
“Anything I’ve done in public office I stand over and I’ve nothing to worry about,” he said.
PA