Report on tribunal is matter for Flood - Ahern

The submission of an interim report by the Flood tribunal to the Dail was a matter for Mr Justice Flood, the Taoiseach said.

Mr Ahern was replying to the Labour deputy leader, Mr Brendan Howlin, who asked if the Government had considered getting Mr Justice Flood's view on the matter, rather than having to wait perhaps several years before a report was placed before the House.

The Taoiseach said he did not want to interfere.

"The sole member has made it clear that he is following a module approach into various sectors. I am sure he will indicate in his own time to the Ceann Comhairle, which is the appropriate way, when he is finished or wishes to give a report, but there has been no such indication."

Asked by Mr Howlin if he would welcome an interim report, or a progress report, from the tribunal, Mr Ahern replied: "I would welcome a full report on the whole lot, whenever it is finished."

Mr Pat Rabbitte (Labour, Dublin South West) asked Mr Ahern if any Department had furnished files to the tribunal relating to urban designations.

Mr Ahern suggested that Mr Rabbitte should table a question to the relevant Department, adding that he understood from media reports, and replies made in the House, that quite a number of files on the issue had been forwarded to the tribunal.

The Fine Gael leader, Mr John Bruton, said new topics were coming to light at the tribunals, and the Government should conduct a further examination of its files to ascertain if there was any further matter that ought to be drawn to their attention.

Mr Ahern said that when any new issue arose, the tribunals contacted the relevant department if it was felt it had a file.

"Some new issues arose some time ago in respect of which my Department passed files to one of the tribunals. I believe some Ministers have done likewise."