Martin defends role in tribunal criticism

Micheál Martin has defended his personal role as a minister in a Fianna Fail-led government which has been accused of attempting to collapse the planning tribunal.

Mr Martin denied being party to any attempt by Fianna Fáil ministers to undermine or collapse the tribunal, as alleged in the report of the inquiry.

He also said he was not aware of any concerted effort by his fellow ministers to collapse the inquiry in December 2007, when a succession of senior figures criticised the tribunal’s investigations in Mr Ahern.

Mr Martin was speaking at a press conference this morning in Dublin, at which he confirmed his intention to seek the expulsion of former taoiseach Bertie Ahern from the party.

A motion to expel former minister Pádraig Flynn will also be consider at the Fianna Fáil national executive next Friday, in response to the damning findings of the tribunal report published yesterday.

Asked about comments made at the time by minister Willie O’Dea, who likened the tribunal’s investigation to a raid on Bertie Ahern’s “communion money”, Mr Martin said these comments were unwise.

Rejecting the notion that the Fianna Fáil brand was irreparably tarnished, he said the party was entitled to represent the 400,000 people who vote for it in the last election.

Mr Martin denied that he was naïve to have believed Mr Ahern’s evidence at the time it was given to the tribunal. “I believed what Bertie Ahern said at that time and I was wrong. I’m disappointed but at the time I felt he was giving an account…I hadn’t gone through the entirety of report. You’re saying I should know what it took tribunal 15 years to unravel.”

The Fianna Fáil leader also denied that he was motivated by personal political advantage in supporting Mr Ahern when he was Taoiseach.

He said he was ashamed of the corruption that had emerged from the tribunal. “It was a bad day for politics and I unreservedly condemn the actions which occurred.”

Asked about his own receipt of money from fellow Corkman, developer Owen O’Callaghan, whom the report accuses of involvement in corrupt activities, Mr Martin said a distinction had to be drawn between legitimate political contributions and corrupt payments. There was no suggestion of any impropriety on his part in accepting a donation from Mr O’Callaghan.

“Notwithstanding that, the culture was wrong, particularly in relation to the nexus between funding and politics.”

Mr Martin said some of those mentioned in the report have since died, but he still condemned their behaviour. Three former councillors who are still members will be the subject of expulsion motions next week.

As for Mr Flynn, who pocketed a IR£50,000 cheque from a developer, Mr Martin said there was no circumstance inn which this cheque could be justified. “The evidence is clear and a motion to expel him from membership will also be taken up next Friday.”

He said the evidence against Mr Ahern was extremely serious, although the central allegation against him was not sustained.

“No matter how high a member rises within the party and in elected office, they still carry a duty of trust for the members of Fianna Fáil and for the people who elected them.”

“The motion of expulsion is the only route available to us to assert the fact that he fell short of the standard of personal behaviour which all holders of public offer should uphold.”

Mr Martin said the Dublin Central constituency branch would be restructured, with officer functions taken over by the party general secretary. The branch’s assets, including the branch headquarters at St Luke’s, would be transferred to the general secretary.