Labour Party leader Eamon Gilmore yesterday expressed criticism of former chairman of the planning tribunal Mr Justice Feargus Flood for commenting on the tribunal's inquiries into payments to Taoiseach Bertie Ahern while these inquiries are still ongoing.
Mr Gilmore said that he hadn't heard the interview with Mr Justice Flood on Newstalk radio and consequently, would not comment on the judge's specific comment that he believed that Mr Ahern would almost certainly be acquitted of any wrongdoing.
"However, I do think it was inappropriate for him to give an interview at all in relation to the tribunal which he previously chaired - particularly on a matter which is still under consideration and still the subject of inquiry by the tribunal," said Mr Gilmore.
Mr Gilmore was responding to a question from a member of the Labour Party in Cork at one of its regional meetings to allow members question the two candidates for the deputy leadership of the party, Joan Burton and Jan O'Sullivan.
Mr Justice Flood told Eamon Keane's Lunchtime show on Newstalk on Tuesday that the payment of money to Mr Ahern was unusual, perhaps unique, and he agreed that Mr Ahern had been reticent in relation to how and why he had received the money.
Referring to Mr Ahern's dealings with Michael Wall, who said that he gave Mr Ahern about £30,000 sterling for the renovation of a house he was renting to Mr Ahern, Mr Justice Flood said that he didn't believe that the Taoiseach would be found to have engaged in improper conduct.
"It must be said there is no suggestion to date that he [Mr Ahern] has given any benefit to his donors other than bed and breakfast. Clearly there has been no breach of standard of conduct or law of the land to date," said Mr Justice Flood.
"The tribunal has acted correctly in setting up an inquiry. Unless additional evidence is forthcoming, the Taoiseach will almost certainly be acquitted of any improper conduct," he said.
He added that the planning inquiry was "absolutely correct" to investigate Mr Ahern's finances.
