THE Taoiseach refused to be drawn on the controversy surrounding the managing director of Bord na Mona, Dr Eddie O'Connor, when it was raised yesterday morning by Fianna Fail.

The party's spokesman on energy, Mr Seamus Brennan, urged Mr Bruton to ask the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications, Mr Lowry, to "bring this shameful spectacle at Bord na Mona to an end", adding that it had damaged and humiliated individuals. He said the Minister should make a statement at the end of the board meeting which was scheduled for later in the day.

The party leader, Mr Bertie Ahern, asked the Taoiseach to ensure that Mr Lowry placed the reports from the then chairman of Bord na Mona to the Government, for the years 1992, 1993, 1994 and 1995, in the Oireachtas library. Pointing out that the issue could not be dealt with on the Order of Business, the Ceann Comhairle, Mr Sean Treacy, said that it should be raised at a more appropriate time.

Mr Ahern said if the reports were completed "I think we could resolve very quickly matters that are under dispute".

The Taoiseach told Mr Brian Cowen (FF, Laois Offaly) that it was hoped to have the Turf Development Bill available in April or May of next year.