There is no stonewalling...

- The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, defending the Government's decision to set up a separate tribunal on planning in north Dublin rather than refer the payment of £30,000 to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Burke, to the Moriarty tribunal.

A delaying tactic.

- The Fine Gael leader, Mr John Bruton.

I totally object to the way the Taoiseach very conveniently misrepresented everything that I said

- Mr Ahern addressing Mr Bruton during heated exchanges.

You are the Taoiseach.

- Mr Spring to Mr Ahern.

It is absolutely bewildering as to why a separate tribunal is necessary when only a couple of weeks ago this House divided on a motion proposed by my party that would have included this matter at the preliminary stages of the Moriarty tribunal.

- Mr Pat Rabbitte (DL).

"There is no evidence in the public domain of payments to any other politician. And yet the Taoiseach wants some wandering inquiry that will go on for months and months, while Mr Burke continues as Minister for Foreign Affairs."

- The Fine Gael leader, Mr John Bruton.