Kenny facing renewed Callinan queries after White statement

Taoiseach Enda Kenny is facing renewed calls to clarify the circumstances surrounding the resignation of the former Garda commissioner after Labour leadership candidate Alex White accused him of firing Martin Callinan.

Mr White sent a letter to Labour Party members in which he said that, as tánaiste, he would not “stand over a position where the Taoiseach looks to fire the commissioner of the gardaí without as much as a phone call to the leader of the Labour Party”.

When questioned on the letter yesterday, the Minister of State for Health said he was making a point about “parity of esteem” between Fine Gael and Labour in Government.

‘Urgent need’

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin said there was now an “urgent need” for Mr Kenny to give a full account of the events leading to Mr Callinan’s departure.

Mr Kenny has insisted he will outline the chain of events to the Fennelly Inquiry, the commission of investigation established to examine the taping of telephone calls at Garda stations.

Mr Martin said it was “not tenable for the Taoiseach to continue to avoid giving a full public account of the events leading up to the departure of former commissioner Martin Callinan”.

“Minister Alex White’s extremely belated concern about the seriousness of these events is welcome but it raises very serious questions for the Government.”

Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore’s spokeswoman declined to comment on Mr White’s statement.

Speaking yesterday, Mr White said “it is critically important” that when important decisions are being made in coalition government that both partners are involved.

Meanwhile, trades unions will host a hustings ahead of the leadership contest between Mr White and Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton. The debate will take place in the Communications Workers’ Union headquarters on Dublin’s North Circular Road next Saturday.