Taoiseach Enda Kenny has described as “balderdash’’ a claim by the Fianna Fáil leader that he attempted to cover up reservations within the Cabinet about the pension levy to fund job creation.
Amid sharp Dáil exchanges this afternoon, Micheál Martin said it had emerged that Mr Kenny had been informed in April by Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton that the levy could have extremely negative impacts.
"She told you well before the levy was announced that it could incentivise or force some pension schemes to close,'' said Mr Martin.
Mr Martin said it took Freedom of Information requests to get information on the matter.
"You covered up on this, Taoiseach, deliberately,'' he added.
Mr Kenny said that Fianna Fáil-led governments had cut back on the scope of the Freedom of Information Act, and he challenged Mr Martin to come up with constructive suggestions on job creation.
"But for your allegation to say that there was a cover-up here, is absolute and utter balderdash,'' he added.
Mr Kenny said he had received a routine letter from Ms Burton, which explained her view of how the levy might impact on her department.
"Your allegation of keeping information secret is without foundation,'' he said.
Separately, Mr Kenny told the Dáil that the cost of the visits of Queen Elizabeth and President Barack Obama to Ireland could be in excess of €20 million.
However, he said the visits had generated more than 38,000 print and media pieces.
"The estimated cost of that is about €300 million, not to mention the impact in terms of Ireland's status and reputation and the global coverage that both visits received during that week,'' Mr Kenny added.
He was replying to Joe Higgins (Socialist Party) who suggested the Taoiseach ask the US government to cover the entire cost of Mr Obama's visit.