The Tánaiste has defended her actions over the resignation of Mr Bobby Molloy and insisted her party has not been damaged by the controversy.
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Ms Mary Harney
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The Taoiseach also tried to downplay the extent of the controversy, saying the Minister for Justice has now answered all relevant questions.
Ms Mary Harney said in Cork today she felt Mr Molloy had done the "honourable and right thing" by resigning. "I think it was right that he resigned given the error in contacting the judge, because there has to be a complete division between the judiciary and the executive".
But she defended her own reaction on Tuesday when the news broke. "I was not going to come out on Tuesday evening and effectively sack Bobby Molloy. I am a human being, he was entitled to a couple of hours to reflect on what had happened."
She said she didn’t feel "let down" by Mr Molloy’s actions. "I don’t believe our credibility is damaged. Bobby Molloy has paid a heavy price . . . but I believe the Progressive Democrats are a resilient party," she said.
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Mr Bertie Ahern
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Speaking in Sligo, Mr Ahern said that it was now time to "stop a bit of the nonsense, and stop it quick."
According to Mr Ahern, the first part of the 15 letters released last night were Mr Molloy being asked by a constituent to refer correspondence to the Department of Justice. "Every public representative does that," he said.
Secondly, Mr O’Donoghue acknowledged the letters and Mr Molloy sent him reminders. "Again, every deputy in Dáil Éireann does that all the time," Mr Ahern said.
Mr Ahern said Mr O’Donoghue "absolutely to the letter of the law" answered Mr Molloy. The crux of matter was Mr Molloy’s role, for which he has paid the "ultimate price". The Taoiseach also said he did not know any of the details of the letters until yesterday.