THE Minister for Finance, Mr Quinn, stoutly defended his role in party fund raising in a written reply to two PD deputies, Mr Des O'Malley and Ms Liz O'Donnell.

"As deputy leader of the Labour Party and the first Labour Party Minister for Finance, I am happy to attend fund raising functions for the party when requested and available to do so.

"It is not possible to say in advance, with any degree of certainty, what topics will be discussed at such functions. However, I expect that issues of current public import or matters relating to my role as Minister for Finance may arise in any discussions that take place."

Mr Quinn said the Electoral Bill, which was before the House, would provide funds for political parties, but the Bill was not yet enacted and, as a senior officeholder in his party, he was committed to playing his part in the essential task of political fund raising.

He was dismayed by the hypocrisy of the PDs on the issue of fund raising by political parties. "I have been outraged and offended by the misinformation and libellous suggestions and innuendo made by members of that party in relation to my role as Finance Minister."

He particularly rejected the suggestion by Mr Robert Molloy that people who attended a function "could purchase an amendment to the Finance Bill".