Fianna Fáil leader Micheal Martin is to propose motions to expel both former taoiseach Bertie Ahern and former minister and EU commissioner Padraig Flynn from the party following the publication of the final report of the Mahon tribunal.
The tribunal found Mr Ahern had been ‘untruthful’ in his accounts of his finances and made a finding against Mr Flynn that he ‘corruptly’ sought a payment of £50,000 from developer Tom Gilmartin.
Mr Martin issued a statement tonight following a meeting of the Fianna Fáil party’s senior officer board and said “swift and decisive” action would be taken following the findings and he would propose the motions at a special meeting next Friday, March 30th.
The Fianna Fáil leader said the party he led would “not tolerate or fail to condemn abuse of public office”, whether in its own party or others.
“I want to lead a party of integrity that will not permit any member to engage in behaviour that debases our primary duty which is to serve the Irish people.”
The report of the Mahon tribunal was “extremely serious for all who care about public life in Ireland”, he stated.
It had wide implications for different parties, groups and individuals.
“I am very clear about those implications which relate to Fianna Fáil and those members of the party who betrayed the privilege and responsibility of holding public office.”
Mr Martin said that while nearly all of the events dealt with in the report occurred 20 years ago they are still important and must be addressed.
“I am determined that my party respond honestly and without hesitation to all the issues and responsibilities arising for us from this document.”
“Having met with and consulted with the Fianna Fáil officer board, and after giving the principal findings of the Mahon report due consideration, it was agreed that a special meeting of the Fianna Fáil national executive should be called next Friday 30th March at which a number of specific proposals will be tabled to ensure swift and decisive action by the party in a number of areas.”
Mr Martin and the party’s officers believed both Bertie Ahern and Padraig Flynn’s conduct constituted “conduct unbecoming a member of Fianna Fáil”.
He will propose motions to expel both of them at the special meeting and will write to them to inform them of the decision.
With regard to Fianna Fáil councillors, Mr Martin said it was clear from the tribunal report there were grounds to consider the expulsion of a number of individuals who remained members of the party.
“These are GV Wright, Finbar Hanrahan and Don Lydon. None are still public representatives, but their conduct was unbecoming a member of Fianna Fáil and consequently I am proposing motions of expulsion against those who remain members of the party and against whom negative findings have been made in this report. We are writing to these members informing them of this decision.”
Mr Martin also said the officer board had decided to recommend to the Árd Comhairle that there should be “a root and branch review of the organisation in Dublin Central [Mr Ahern’s former constituency]”.
“If this recommendation is passed, all functions performed by officers of that branch of the organisation will be transferred with immediate effect to the General Secretary. I am also going to seek that all assets held by or on behalf of that party organisation be transferred into the names of the General Secretary and Treasurers to act as trustees thereof, pending the establishment of a renewed Dublin Central organisation,” Mr Martin said.
“I wish to stress that this decision is not intended as a reflection on the party’s members in the constituency but it is an essential part in re-establishing trust in the handling of the party’s affairs.”