Tánaiste accuses FG deputy of sexism

TÁNAISTE Mary Coughlan accused Fine Gael justice spokesman Charles Flanagan of sexism in the Dáil yesterday.

Mr Flanagan said it was a year since the “celebrated entry” by the Garda fraud squad into the premises of Anglo Irish Bank. He asked Ms Coughlan about the progress of legislation reforming company law.

Ms Coughlan, who was taking the Order of Business, said the company law (consolidation and reform) Bill was huge legislation. “There is ongoing work,” she said.

Mr Flanagan replied: “It is too big for the Minister.”

Ms Coughlan said: “If the deputy wishes to throw a condescending, sexist remark across the House, that is fine. It is very much the calibre of Deputy Flanagan, but I would expect more from him after all these years in the House.”

Mr Flanagan’s frontbench colleague, Olivia Mitchell, said: “Where was it sexist?”

FG health spokesman Dr James Reilly referred to “imagined slights”.

Ms Coughlan said the legislation would be ready at the end of next year. “I remind the House that the Director of Corporate Enforcement is an independent arm of the State, and under no circumstances should I, or any member of the House, undermine the independent investigation.”

Mr Flanagan asked about the current position, one year later, of the various investigations under way. “Is it a matter of political will, legislation or resources?”

Government Chief Whip Pat Carey said the investigation was ongoing.

Mr Flanagan said he wanted to remind the Tánaiste and her Government colleagues that in the US a period of 91 days had elapsed between the commencement of the investigation of Bernie Madoff and his committal to prison. “Here there is no political will to deal with this issue.”

Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey said earlier in the week Mr Flanagan had been calling on a man (Trevor Sargent) to resign because he wrote to the Garda. “And now he wants the Government to intervene in an investigation.”

Meanwhile, Labour TD Kathleen Lynch asked Ceann Comhairle Seamus Kirk if he had a problem with women members of the House when she attempted to raise a recent RTÉ Prime Time interview with Michael Neary.

Mr Kirk said it was not appropriate for the Order of Business.

“A Cheann Comhairle, is it only women you have a problem with?” said Ms Lynch.

“No, it is not a problem,” said Mr Kirk.

Ms Lynch said: “Can I ask another question? Is it just the Labour Party you have a problem with, or is it the Opposition in general?” Mr Kirk said: “No, absolutely not.”