The Government is "united and clear" in its belief that the Mahon tribunal must finish its work, Tánaiste and Progressive Democrats leader Michael McDowell has said.
Speaking before Mr Justice Alan Mahon's letter to the Clerk of the Dáil was published yesterday evening, Mr McDowell said he had not called for its termination on Wednesday.
"I don't think there is a mixed message. I think the Government are united and clear on all of this.
"I did not call for the tribunal to be closed down. I said it can't go on forever, and that the costs were very substantial.
"I said at some point we have to consider whether this money is justifiable, and that's the plain, simple truth," he told journalists before entering a Dublin Castle meeting of the social partners yesterday morning.
The Quarryvale module of the Mahon tribunal would have to be held because allegations have been made against individuals, including the Taoiseach.
"Of course, the people who have been impugned in public have a right to vindicate their names in the tribunal. I never suggested that it should be closed down," Mr McDowell said.
"...The Taoiseach is perfectly right to say that he looks forward to vindicating his name in the tribunal because allegations have been made in relation to him..."
