The Government’s continued failure to appoint of extra judges to the Flood tribunal raises "serious doubts" over its commitment to reveal planning corruption details, Fine Gael leader Mr Michael Noonan TD said today.
Labelling as a "diversionary tactic" the Government’s claim the delay was due to the opposition’s failure to suggest suitable appointees, Mr Noonan said if Fianna Fáil had nothing to hide they should comply with Mr Justice Flood's request.
Justice Flood wrote to the Oireachtas in the middle of last June asking, as a matter of urgency, that extra members be provided before the Dáil went into recess in July.
In a statement today, Mr Noonan said: "When I raised this issue with the Taoiseach last month his response was vague and evasive. I am now repeating my call on him to immediately provide the Tribunals with the support they need."
Last night the Government rejected claims by the Labour leader, Mr Ruairí Quinn, yesterday that the appointment were being delayed for electoral purposes. A spokeswoman told The Irish Timesthat two people would be appointed to the tribunal within a month.
Meanwhile on RTÉ radio's Morning Irelandprogramme today, Government Chief Whip, Mr Séamus Brennan, dismissed claims the delay was orchestrated for political purposes.
Speaking on the same programme Fine Gael’s Ms Olivia Mitchell said the Government was deliberately manipulating the timing of the work of the Flood Tribunal for political reasons.
She would not accept the delay was due to failure to find suitable appointees and said it was a "deliberate manipulation of the timing of the Tribunal's work to suit the political timetable".
Mr Brennan reiterated the Government stance that no attempt was being made to delay the appointments and that the judges would be in place in time to start the Tribunal’s next module.