Ahern denies Mahon tribunal complained about disclosure

The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, has denied in the Dáil that he has impeded the Mahon tribunal's investigation into the controversial Quarryvale development by withholding papers.

He reiterated his statement yesterday evening in which he said he had fully complied at all times with the tribunal. He said any allegations otherwise were "unfounded" and "a nonsense".

The Taoiseach insisted the tribunal had never complained to him that he had delayed its operation or expressed dissatisfaction about his responses. It was alleged in a Sunday newspaper last weekend that he had held up the inquiry for five years by failing to hand over documents sought by the tribunal.

He said a number of documents sought by the tribunal were in the possession of other Government departments, and "the tribunal was informed of the Departments likely to hold them." One document being sought had originated in Fianna Fail headquarters and the tribunal was also told this.

"The implication that I was unwilling to hand over these documents is unsustainable," Mr Ahern said.

He also attacked the Opposition for trying to raise "spurious political smoke" through leaks to the media of confidential tribunal documents.

The Fine Gael leader, Mr Enda Kenny, retorted, saying the allegations were made in the public media and not in the political process. He accused Mr Ahern of overseeing a massive fall in the standards of public office.

The Labour leader, Mr Pat Rabbitte, said he accepted Mr Ahern's statement that he was not impeding the tribunal. However, he said the bigger issue was how the Taoiseach responds to the allegations against Mayo TD Ms Beverly Cooper Flynn, who is accused of helping her father, former minister Mr Pádraig Flynn, of lodging a £50,000 cheque from a developer in a bogus offshore account.

The money was allegedly a payment from Mr Tom Gilmartin, who claims the money was a political contribution. However, the cheque was not passed on to the Fianna Fáil party.

Mr Kenny accused Mr Ahern of trying to "shore up your own political ambitions" and putting Fianna Fáil's political interest ahead of the national interest by drawing Ms Cooper Flynn back into the fold "even  though  serious allegations concerning her financial activities were still unresolved".

Sinn Féin's Mr Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin said the Flynn affair was "another reminder of the depths of sleaze" that surrounded the Government.

The Green Party's Mr Trevor Sergeant said there was an "incredible amount of forgiveness" being shown by Fianna Fáil to errant members.

Socialist Party TD Mr Joe Higgins said Mr Ahern must answer the questions in the Dáil and should not be allowed to use the tribunals as a "handy prophylactic" against the accusations faced by members of his party.

Asked by Mr Rabbitte if he was going to sue the newspaper which had made the claims about him, Mr Ahern said: "I have never sued a newspaper in 27 years in this House and I don't intend to."