Ireland's EU Commissioner, Mr Padraig Flynn, is maintaining his silence on the ultimate destination of the £50,000 cheque signed by builder Mr Tom Gilmartin. But Mr Flynn insisted yesterday that, to date, the developer had made no charges against him which related to the remit of the Flood tribunal.
The terms of reference of the tribunal specify that it is to inquire into allegations of planning irregularities on 726 acres of land in north Dublin and whether politicians or officials sought or received cash in return for favours in this regard.
The following is the text of Mr Flynn's exchange with Irish journalists in the corridors of the European Parliament in Strasbourg yesterday:
Mr Flynn: The position has not changed. I do not intend making a statement and I'm leaving matters that are proper to the tribunal to be dealt with by the tribunal, and that's my position, and it's not going to alter.
Question: Even when the deputy prime minister of the member-state you represent asks you to come out and clarify your position, you feel that it's not appropriate to do so?
Mr Flynn: The Dail set up a tribunal with certain terms of reference to do a certain job, and it is inappropriate for anyone outside of that to make statements that could in any way be interpreted as undermining the tribunal, and that's all I can say.
Question: Even when the Taoiseach wants you to make a statement, and people within the party that you represented for so long are actually calling for you to stand down, you have nothing to say?
Mr Flynn: The Taoiseach said it quite clearly that it was a matter for myself, and he recognised that I am an independent Commissioner, acting on my own behalf and on behalf of the European Union, and that I should take my own advice on the matter. And that is precisely what I am doing.
Question: So you won't be making any statement until the tribunal calls you to give evidence?
Mr Flynn: It is not my intention to make a statement, and the tribunal has got to do its work. If they call me, then I will be pleased, as I've always said that I would co-operate fully with any tribunal at which I can be helpful.
Question: But you have actually said on the record in the past that you know this man Tom Gilmartin. This man has said that he gave you £50,000. You said you did not get it for use by the political party of which you were treasurer at the time, but you never denied that you actually got the money?
Mr Flynn: I know Mr Gilmartin, and if Mr Gilmartin is going to the tribunal to make a charge, then that charge will have to be answered. But, as I understand it, Mr Gilmartin has made no charge against me.
Question: On that particular point then, on the £50,000 which he says he gave to you as treasurer of the party, you're saying you've got no comment . . .
Mr Flynn: I'm not making any comment because any comment just leads to the repetition of other questions. But I have made the point that any matters that are proper to the tribunal should be dealt with by it, and if it is proper for me to go before it, then I will be happy to oblige. That's all I can say. I do know Mr Gilmartin. I haven't met him for some time. I do know him and, as I said, Mr Gilmartin, to my knowledge, has made no charges against me insofar as the terms of reference of the tribunal.
