The Opposition has demanded an explanation following revelations of a letter offering to procure planning permission in North County Dublin. The Fine Gael leader, Mr John Bruton, led the Opposition assertion that the disclosure had radically changed the context of a statement of explanation to the Dail by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Burke, earlier this month.
According to Fine Gael, the Labour Party and Democratic Left, the text of the letter sent by Mr Michael Bailey - who was present when Mr Burke received a political donation of £30,000 - required that the issue be included in the new tribunal of inquiry under Mr Justice Michael Moriarty.
Mr Bruton said he intends to table a motion to this effect at the Order of Business in the Dail on Tuesday.
Describing as "folly" the Government decision to vote down a proposal that the £30,000 donation be included in the terms of reference of the next tribunal, Mr Alan Shatter (FG) called on Mr Burke to state if he was aware, either before or after the payment, that Mr Bailey allegedly promised to "procure" a planning permission for Joseph Murphy Structural Engineers (JMSE).
He also asked if the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, and the Tanaiste, Ms Harney, were aware of the alleged procurement offer. The two leaders should also explain their failure to act on an offer by Mr James Gogarty - who handed the money over to Mr Burke - to give evidence in a new tribunal.
Calling on the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs, Mr Dermot Ahern, to now give full details of his inquiries into the transaction, the Fine Gael leader said this should include details of conversations with Mr Bailey.
Saying the Taoiseach should publish the full results of the Minister's inquiry into the £30,000 payment to Mr Burke, Mr Bruton added that he should also explain his knowledge of the matter when he appointed him as Minister.
"Fine Gael wants this matter fully investigated. This revelation changes radically the context of Mr Burke's statement in the Dail. If, as inferred by some Government spokespersons, there are allegations about any other persons, these allegations should be publicly stated and investigated. I have no reason to believe there is any basis for truth in such allegations," Mr Bruton added.
The truth must come out, "regardless of who is to be investigated on any side of the House" and each party must be ready to deal decisively with matters that arise.
Welcoming Ms Harney's comments that the issue now merited revisiting, the Labour Party Chief Whip, Mr Brendan Howlin, said it was critical that Mr Burke be seen to be above reproach at this crucial time in the peace process.
He called on the Government to reverse its decision to exclude the Burke payments from the terms of reference of the tribunal.
The Democratic Left spokesman on the environment, Mr Eamon Gilmore, said that if, as she claims, the Tanaiste is seriously concerned at the new disclosures, she must insist that the terms of reference be changed.
"Given the stand her party has taken on similar allegations in the past, members of the public are puzzled as to her silence on this matter and her apparent willingness to co-operate with Fianna Fail in preventing any proper investigation of the Ray Burke donations," Mr Gilmore added.
The new disclosure, taken together with recent reports that both the Taoiseach and Tanaiste received letters from Mr James Gogarty offering to give sworn evidence and provide independent corroboration to a tribunal, meant the Government now has no alternative but to review that decision.