PDs seek inquiry into Fine Gael donation

An examination into the involvement of the Fine Gael Party in the granting of the mobile licence to Esat Digifone and their level of co-operation with the tribunals is required, according to the Progressive Democrats.

In statement this morning the Progressive Democrats said it would be in the public interest for the Joint Committee on Public Enterprise and Transport to examine these matters fully.

Government Chief Whip Mr Seamus Brennan confirmed Fianna Fáil’s support for such an inquiry and was joined by Labour leader Mr Ruairí Quinn.

In the Dáil today, Mr Quinn asked the Taoiseach if he considered it totally contradictory for Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrates to call for an investigation into the granting of a second phone licence while continuing to be beneficiaries of a donation £50,000 each (in 1999) from the person who won that licence?

But the Taoiseach said he was not going to get into an argument about who gave what contribution, adding it wasn't relevant.

Meanwhile the chairman of the Oireachtas Committee on Public Enterprise and Transport, Mr Sean Doherty, has said that it will consider a PD request for an inquiry into the granting of the licence when it meets tomorrow.

Speaking on RTE Radio's News at One, Mr Doherty said if the donation of $50,000 to Fine Gael from Telenor, and the granting of the ESAT licence are found to be connected, that would be a matter for the Moriarty Tribunal.