Noonan accused of `hard neck' over call to ban donations

Amid sharp exchanges, the Taoiseach accused the Fine Gael leader of "hard neck" when he renewed his call for a ban on corporate…

Amid sharp exchanges, the Taoiseach accused the Fine Gael leader of "hard neck" when he renewed his call for a ban on corporate donations.

Mr Michael Noonan said the most topical issue was "the discomfort to myself and my party" arising from a donation to the party four years ago.

Mr Noonan added that it had been returned to the donor by the party, and as Fine Gael leader he had made full disclosure and informed the Moriarty tribunal.

He said the Taoiseach had "some discomfort himself because of payments of £8 million to Mr Charles Haughey, up to £5 million to Deputy Lawlor and hundreds of thousands of pounds rolling out of the Flood tribunal every day in respect of Mr Burke."

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Mr Ahern said the appropriate place to give the facts about donations was at the tribunals. "People should stick with the tribunals. I have not changed my mind."

He added that since last April he had said there were issues about corporate donations which should be dealt with on an all-party basis.

When Mr Noonan said the banning of corporate donations was not within the remit of the tribunals, the Taoiseach said: "I will give Deputy Noonan full marks for hard neck in coming here today talking about anything to do with corporate donations."

The Labour leader, Mr Ruairi Quinn, said it was time for the Government to sit down with the parties and discuss how to end corporate donations and restore trust in politics.