Former PD minister of state for foreign affairs Liz O'Donnell broke ranks with the Government in a row over ministerial responsibility.
She supported a demand by Labour spokesman Michael D. Higgins that a question he tabled to Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern be answered by him. The question had been transferred to Minister for Justice Michael McDowell.
Ms O'Donnell, in the presence of Tánaiste and PD leader Mary Harney, and Mr Ahern, said: "I support the points that have been made by opposition deputies on the fundamental matter of the transfer without consultation or substance." However, Mr Ahern, rejected the assertion that he should answer the question. "No, I will not," he said. "I am informed it is a matter for the Department of Justice."
Ruairí Quinn (Labour, Dublin South East) remarked: "The House should mark this day. A new point in arrogance has been reached." Earlier, Mr Higgins said he had tabled a question on the ratification of the United Nations convention against corruption and compliance therewith, which was specific to the Minister for Foreign Affairs.
"The preparation of the domestic legislation would be a matter for the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform after ratification, which I understand has not happened," he added. "The question has been transferred by the Department of Foreign Affairs to the Department of Justice without consultation with me, who tabled the question as a priority yesterday."
Mr Higgins said that practice was happening, not only in respect of questions to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, but also in respect of other questions. "Ministers and their department officials are consulting one another and arbitrarily transferring questions, as today," he added. "It is absurd."
Leas-Cheann Comhairle Séamus Pattison said the Chair had no function in the matter. "It is a matter between the relevant departments," he added.
Mr Higgins said he was asking the Chair to place the matter on the agenda for a meeting of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges, "as a potential and continuing abuse of the procedures of this House".
Ms O'Donnell intervened to insist that the question tabled by Mr Higgins was a matter for the Minister for Foreign Affairs. "This issue of the United Nations convention against corruption is central to the furtherance of our development programme in overseas countries, a programme which has been recently expanded, and this House is concerned about corruption."
Ms O'Donnell said the parliamentary question was the fundamental vehicle for holding the Government of the day to account. "That is a matter for this House. Deputies on this side have an equal interest in holding the executive to account," she added. "It is our function and I support the points that have been made by Deputy Higgins."
Mr Quinn said the question could be resolved in a system of shared democracy in the House by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, who happened by coincidence to be present. "I wish to formally ask the Minister whether he will answer the question that was put him in the first instance."
Mr Ahern replied he would not, noting the advice he had been given.
