Reaction: Fine Gael last night said the questioning of a Sinn Féin member among the seven people arrested by gardaí in connection with a money-laundering investigation raised grave questions for that party.
Mr Enda Kenny said Sinn Féin must clarify whether any of those involved in the activities under investigation acted in an official capacity for the party in the local and European elections last June.
"In view of Sinn Féin's repeated denials of Sinn Féin or IRA involvement in any criminal activity, the leadership of Sinn Féin must make an immediate statement on this development and on its relationship with those involved," he said. "In particular, Sinn Féin must clarify whether any of the people involved acted in an official capacity for Sinn Féin in last June's elections," Mr Kenny added.
Sinn Féin issued a brief statement in which a spokesman said he was aware of media reports about the arrests and "speculation" that they were linked to the Northern Bank raid.
"Sinn Féin's position on this robbery is clear. Over the last four weeks we have seen people rush to judgment time and time again.
"We would urge people to exercise caution on this occasion and allow the truth to come out.
"Sinn Féin has no further information about these arrests and we will wait to see how events unfold before we comment further," the spokesman said.
The Labour leader, Mr Pat Rabbitte, described the seizure of such large amounts of money and the arrests as an astonishing development.
"Whilst we await more details to emerge, it is of extreme concern that the Garda operation was specifically directed at IRA money-laundering.
"However, even at this early stage, it appears that today's events are particularly significant in the context of the Northern Bank robbery and subsequent denials by IRA and Sinn Féin, " Mr Rabbitte added.
The Green Party leader, Mr Trevor Sargent, said the arrests gave cause for yet more concern about the peace process at a time when the Belfast Agreement seemed to be at its lowest ebb.
The development called for a frank explanation from Sinn Féin given the link to a former Sinn Féin elected representative, he said.
"This reported arrest highlights the need for Sinn Féin to come clean on their involvement with criminal activity.
"This highlights more than ever the liability which the IRA is to the peace process. It is not possible to maintain an illegal standing army without recourse to criminal fundraising activity," Mr Sargent added.
