REACTION:THE CIRCUMSTANCES around Mr Sargent's resignation give rise to serious questions for the Minister for Justice, Fine Gael justice spokesman Charlie Flanagan has claimed.
Mr Flanagan said the leaking of correspondence between the Minister of State and gardaí two years ago was “clearly not by chance”.
“There are serious questions to answer, particularly by the Minister for Justice. It seems to me to be quite extraordinary that some four days after the resignation of a senior Minister, these documents come into the public domain. How did it happen and by whom?”
He said Mr Sargent’s resignation was part of a series of “tit-for-tat political hits” which were affecting the stability of the Government.
However, he said Mr Sargent had shown “the type of dignity” that was “sadly lacking” in the resignation of Willie O’Dea last week.
Labour leader Eamon Gilmore said Mr Sargent had acted with “dignity and honour” in tendering his resignation, but said the matter required further explanation. It was remarkable that a letter, which was written almost two years ago, should come into the public domain at this time.
“This is the second ministerial resignation to hit this Government within the space of five days. Trust between the two parties in Government has clearly been destroyed, and this is a Government that is holed below the waterline.”
However, Clare Fianna Fáil TD Timmy Dooley said Mr Gilmore’s attempts to insinuate conspiracy were “beneath contempt”.
“The Labour leader is resorting to throwing things out there in the hope that a rumour can be made fly. It’s the old ‘make them deny it’ tactic, and he has nothing to base it on. It’s beneath contempt but not surprising.”
Sinn Féin Dáil leader Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin said the Taoiseach should not go through the “charade” of reshuffling the Cabinet in a Government which was now totally discredited. “The Taoiseach should not now go through the charade of a reshuffle to fill the vacant Cabinet and Minister of State posts. This entire Government, which is totally discredited, should now resign.”
Dr James Reilly (FG), who also represents Dublin North , said the actions which led to Mr Sargent’s resignation were “out of character”, but added that he had done the honourable thing in resigning.
“He had to take this step in the interests of probity and maintaining standards in high office, a principle which was not exemplified by the behaviour of the Fianna Fáil party last week.
“The timing and the release of this information are a cause for concern, and questions will be asked of the Fianna Fáil Minister for Justice as to how this information came to light and when his department became aware of the details of this case.”