The debate on the McCracken Tribunal report which opens in the Dail today will be of immense importance in establishing the future quality of democracy in this State. The public will look to its elected representatives to respond with urgency to the damning findings of the tribunal of inquiry into Dunnes Stores payments to politicians. It will require the introduction of more effective safeguards against political corruption and greater transparency in regard to business/political relationships. In particular, it will demand further investigation of the murky lifestyles enjoyed by Charles Haughey and Michael Lowry during a time in which they held high government office.
Mr Haughey's behaviour in response to the McCracken Tribunal's investigation has already resulted in papers being sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions to see whether he should be prosecuted. And much of the former Taoiseach's evidence to the tribunal was found to be "unacceptable". Mr Lowry left himself "vulnerable to all kinds of pressure from Dunnes Stores" and availed of off-shore bank accounts in order to avoid tax. It was "an appalling situation", the tribunal found, that a minister and chairman of a parliamentary party could be seen to be "consistently benefiting from the black economy". There was also the question of Mr Lowry misleading the Dail.
As well as considering these matters and the Coalition Government's legislative response to the report, the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, will announce the terms of reference for a new tribunal, designed to further explore the sources of Mr Haughey's wealth and to establish whether any payment made to him influenced government decisions or conferred any benefit on the donor. A similar approach will be taken to Mr Lowry's finances.
The draft terms of reference for the new tribunal envisage an investigation into funds received by Mr Haughey, or by any other Minister, through the Ansbacher deposits. But they do not require identification of the beneficial owners of the huge sums of money - up to £38m at one point - held in these offshore accounts. Given the uncertain legality of the deposits, the new tribunal should at least be required to liaise with the Central Bank on whether exchange controls were breached by the owners and the Revenue Commissioners should be consulted on the tax evasion implications. That would go some way towards reassuring the public that the law is being applied at all levels in society. The decision by the Government, on the prompting of the opposition parties, to include the operations and effectiveness of the Revenue Commissioners within the terms of reference, is to be applauded.
The other matter to come before the Dail is an allegation against the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Burke, that he received large sums of money from building interests when he was a government minister in 1989. Mr Burke has confirmed that £30,000 was received. And he has insisted that nothing improper was involved and that no political favours were either asked for or granted. He will provide further details concerning those matters today and will be questioned closely by the opposition parties. In the present fraught circumstances, where politicians are scarcely held in high public esteem, it is important that Mr Burke should get a just and fair hearing from his colleagues. But, if questions remains unanswered, it is vital that the new tribunal be asked to investigate these issues in a thorough and impartial manner.