Cowen rules out further action on 'Lost at Sea' report

TAOISEACH Brian Cowen has ruled out any further action on the Ombudsman’s report on the controversial “Lost at Sea” scheme and insisted that “it is a matter for the Oireachtas to order its business”.

There were heated exchanges in the Dáil again in the wake of Ombudsman Emily O’Reilly’s comments that the Dáil and Seanad had been sidelined and were no longer in a position to hold the Government to account.

In a speech on Tuesday, Ms O’Reilly referred to her dispute with the Department of Agriculture about the report she completed on the controversial scheme introduced by former minister for the marine Frank Fahey, which paid €2.8 million for replacement capacity for six fishing vessels lost at sea.

Ms O’Reilly said her report had been ignored by the Government.

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny said that because of “what the Ombudsman has said officially in public”, the Taoiseach should state “that the appropriate Oireachtas committee should be entitled to consider her report on the Lost at Sea scheme”.

Labour leader Eamon Gilmore warned: “The longer this matter continues, the more politicised and more partisan it will become.”

However the Taoiseach said the Ombudsman had invited the Oireachtas to consider the report and “take whatever action they deem appropriate. It is a matter for the Oireachtas to order its business. The Dáil and Seanad have dealt with the Ombudsman’s report by way of statements.”

During sharp exchanges, Fine Gael chief whip Paul Kehoe repeatedly asked the Taoiseach: “What have you got to hide?”

Mr Cowen retorted: “You probably haven’t even read the report, you clown.”