Opposition seeks sanctions against Lawlor

Opposition parties Fine Gael and Labour have joined in calling for parliamentary sanctions to be imposed on Liam Lawlor following the Supreme Court decision to uphold a sentence jailing him for a second time for not complying with the Flood Tribunal.

Labour’s justice spokesman Mr Brendan Howlin described Mr Lawlor as "a disgrace".

"His actions have sullied the reputation and standing of public life in Ireland," he said.

Mr Howlin said Labour had brought a motion calling for the introduction of a Code of Conduct for Oireachtas members following Lawlor’s first jail sentence in January. Among the sanctions proposed was a three-month suspension without pay for TDs found guilty of serious breaches of the code.

This motion was unopposed by the Government and discussed by the Dáil Members’ Interests committee, Mr Howlin said, but had yet to be enacted.

"The Government's prevarication on such vital matters will only serve to further erode public confidence in its commitment to see the whole truth emerge about political corruption in this State," he claimed.

Fine Gael's spokesman on justice, Mr Alan Shatter, also called for the Taoiseach, Mr Bertie Ahern, to clarify Fianna Fáil’s ongoing relationship with the Dublin West TD.

"Liam Lawlor has not only shown contempt for the Flood Tribunal but has also shown contempt for Dáil Eireann of which he is a member by obstructing the Flood Tribunal in carrying out the work required of it by both Houses of the Oireachtas," Mr Shatter said.

Mr Lawlor is a former member of Fianna Fáil. He resigned from the party in June 2000, rather than face expulsion after a FF committee on standards in public life said he failed to co-operate with their investigation into payments to politicians by property developers.

Despite this, the Dublin West TD continues to support the Government in Dáil votes.

Mr Lawlor could not be contacted for comment this afternoon at either his Dáil or constituency office.