As controversy over the Taoiseach's tax affairs continued yesterday, the leaders of the two junior coalition parties expressed their full support for the Mahon tribunal while the Opposition claimed the Government parties were now divided on the issue.
Leader of the Progressive Democrats Mary Harney expressed her support for the tribunal and distanced herself from the views of sole party colleague in the Dáil Noel Grealish. However, she criticised the focus on Taoiseach Bertie Ahern's tax affairs while he is on an official visit to South Africa, and said it was regrettable that domestic political issues were interfering with this important international visit.
She also said nobody should be in any doubt about her views on tax clearance: "That's important for every citizen of the country, not least members of the Government and public representatives, but every citizen has an obligation to be tax compliant and we have very strict laws in place in this country and we have the ethics in public office legislation and all of those bodies have responsibilities in relation to those issues."
Earlier Mr Grealish had accused the tribunal of going outside its terms of reference. He claimed on RTÉ's Morning Irelandprogramme that there was an orchestrated campaign against Mr Ahern.
Mr Grealish confirmed before Christmas that he has had discussions with Fianna Fáil about joining the party and he is widely expected to do so at some stage in the life of the current Dáil.
Green Party leader John Gormley also expressed support for the tribunal but refused to be drawn about his views on the Taoiseach's level of tax compliance.
"You can't say on the one hand that you have confidence in the tribunal and yet try and secondguess the tribunal. I think unfortunately that is what some members of the Opposition have been trying to do," said Mr Gormley.
When pressed as to his views on the controversy, he said: "I think most people out there see it for what it is; it is just a spat between political leaders. I don't think people are getting too worked up about it . . . They are worried about the quality of the environment and they are worried about rising energy costs and they want to see the Government doing something about that."
Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny last night attempted to exploit the apparently divergent views of Ms Harney and Mr Grealish on the tribunal, accusing the PD leader of hypocrisy and of speaking with a forked tongue about the integrity of the tribunal in its dealings with Mr Ahern.
Mr Kenny claimed that she had failed to bring Mr Grealish to task after he attacked the tribunal and claimed it was acting outside its remit in its questioning of Mr Ahern.
"I am aware of what Minister Harney has said in that she has expressed confidence in the tribunal. But she has not dissociated herself from the remarks of her sole remaining member, Deputy Grealish, who has said clearly that the tribunal is acting outside its remit," Mr Kenny said.
The Fine Gael leader, speaking during a visit to Castleblayney, Co Monaghan, also suggested that Mr Grealish was on the verge of departing the PDs to join Fianna Fáil. "It has been widely rumoured that Deputy Grealish wishes to rejoin Fianna Fáil. That's a matter for himself."
Mr Kenny denied that he deliberately timed his comments to coincide with Mr Ahern's trip abroad. He said that when he issued his statement on Saturday he did not know the whereabouts of the Taoiseach. He said the fact that the Taoiseach waited until Monday before responding was "typical".
Labour TD Ciarán Lynch said last night that it was essential for the Dáil to reaffirm its confidence in the tribunal given the continuing attacks on the inquiry by Government representatives and the deep divisions between and within the Government parties.
"The decision by Deputy Noel Grealish to join in the chorus of Fianna Fáil attacks on a tribunal of inquiry established by the Oireachtas marks the death rattle of the PDs as a separate party with distinct values," he said.
