Fianna Fáil has said it has no plans to hold any new inquiry into the actions of two Oireachtas members who failed to tell a previous Fianna Fáil inquiry about money they received from a property developer.
On Tuesday Senator Don Lydon and Dublin North deputy GV Wright both admitted to the Mahon tribunal to receiving £7,000 and £5,000 respectively from property developer Christopher Jones in 1992.
Mr Lydon seconded the motion to rezone Mr Jones's land at Ballycullen, south Dublin, in October 1992, and Mr Wright also voted for the change. Both men stressed that the payments were political donations and did not influence their votes.
They also admitted failing to declare these sums to an internal Fianna Fáil inquiry held six years ago which followed the initial revelations by lobbyist Frank Dunlop. That inquiry led to the expulsion of Liam Lawlor from Fianna Fáil for failing to provide accurate information to the inquiry. Yesterday in a statement Fianna Fáil said it had initiated the planning tribunal.
"At this time we do not intend to distract from the tribunal's independent investigation by engaging in a parallel inquiry of our own which lacks statutory powers," it added.
The party "noted recent evidence given to the Mahon tribunal", and would "await the final determination of the tribunal before deciding on whether any further action needs to be taken".
A series of amendments passed by the party at its ardfheis last October allows it to hold speedy internal inquiries which can lead to the expulsion of a member found guilty of wrongdoing.
The rules allow that if the party receives information that establishes "a possible prima facie case of conduct unbecoming" by a member, the officer board of the party's national executive can immediately suspend that member pending a full inquiry.
A five-member investigation committee made up of members of the Fianna Fáil national executive can recommend censure, suspension or expulsion from the party if it finds against a member.
The issue was raised in the Dáil yesterday by Green Party leader Trevor Sargent, who questioned Taoiseach Bertie Ahern about his party's internal discipline following the revelations at the tribunal.
Mr Ahern said his party had established the tribunal, and he declined to elaborate on any internal inquiries by Fianna Fáil.