Fine Gael to raise questions over briefing on groceries order

Fine Gael is to raise questions in the Dáil this week about the briefing a senior civil servant gave a meeting of Fianna Fáil…

Fine Gael is to raise questions in the Dáil this week about the briefing a senior civil servant gave a meeting of Fianna Fáil TDs and senators which it believes breached the House's ethics guidelines.

Last year senior civil servant Gerry Donnelly briefed Fianna Fáil TDs on the proposed changes to the controversial groceries order, which placed a ban on below-cost selling.

Fine Gael enterprise spokesman Phil Hogan said yesterday that he believed the briefing may have breached ethical guidelines for Ministers, under the Principles of Ethical Conduct published by the Standards in Public Office Commission.

He said that asking a civil servant to address a political party gathering could be viewed as an abuse of power.

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"Fianna Fáil seems to have decided it is OK to have officials and civil servants attend political meetings," he said.

"The logical conclusion of this is that civil servants could be invited as guests of honour to speak at a Fianna Fáil Ardfheis."

However, the Minister for Enterprise and Employment Micheál Martin has rejected the claim.

"We reject Phil Hogan's claim entirely," a spokeswoman for Mr Martin said. "It's perfectly normal for officials to brief TDs and senators on issues, particularly ones that are complex and that facility is available to all members of the Oireachtas, including the Opposition."

She said the briefing was limited to a specific meeting on a specific issue and was not comparable with an ardfheis.

However, Mr Hogan said the issue had similarities with other controversies involving Fianna Fáil ministers and the use of civil servants or civil service facilities.

He cited the recent controversy involving TD Ivor Callely over the resignation of one official as his private secretary after she was asked to attend a meeting which Mr Callely was invited to in his political capacity.

He also cited the case of Noel Dempsey having used resources from the Department of Education to brief local election candidates when Minister for Education.