Doherty defiant

NEWLY APPOINTED Department of Finance secretary general John Moran had led a company censured in the United States, Sinn Féin TD Pearse Doherty claimed in the Dáil.

Mr Doherty was expelled from the Chamber when he persisted in raising the matter during the Order of Business, which deals only with questions relating to legislation that the Government has promised to introduce. There had been much talk about legislation dealing with the issues of fitness and probity in the banks.

He added: “When will we see that legislation being brought forward? The secretary general of the Department of Finance was CEO of Zurich Capital Markets, which during 2007 was censured by the US Securities and Exchange Commission and fined €16.8 million for aiding and abetting four hedge funds in defrauding mutual funds.” Ceann Comhairle Seán Barrett said the matter was totally out of order and asked Mr Doherty to resume his seat.

Mr Doherty said the appointment of Mr Moran this week was the most senior in the Civil Service. “When will we have a chance to scrutinise such appointments?” he added.

Mr Barrett again ordered Mr Doherty to resume his seat, warning that he would be asked to leave the House otherwise.

Mr Doherty said Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore, who was taking the Order of Business, should say when legislation would be brought forward.

Mr Barrett said it had nothing to do with the appointment of the secretary general.

Addressing Sinn Féin, Mr Gilmore said: “They have only changed from real assassinations to character assassinations.” Mr Barrett said character assassinations were not done in the Dáil chamber.

Mr Doherty said: “It is not a character assassination. Rather, it is a legitimate question.” After some further exchanges, Mr Doherty was expelled from the Chamber by 80 votes to 36.

The matter was also raised by Independent TD Mattie McGrath, who said that while Mr Moran was chief executive of the company it was found guilty of violations of legislation.