"Legal complexities" of report's publication lead to exchanges

THERE were sharp exchanges between the Tanaiste and the PD leader when the Dunnes controversy was raised in the Dail. Mr Spring reported to the House on the contacts between the Government and the company to secure the publication of the Price Waterhouse report. He said there were "enormous legal complexities" to be addressed, and this would be done urgently.

But Ms Mary Harney said the House had the power to ensure the report was disclosed. "We cannot be beholden to anybody, no matter how powerful , she said. "We have a duty to serve the public, and the public interest must come first."

She added that newspaper reports that the party leaders might see the report was not enough. "We cannot have a sanitised version of the report. . . We require full disclosure. People who have nothing to fear have nothing to hide."

If they could not get publication of the report through the family over the next day or so, then there should be a judicial inquiry or an investigation under the Companies Act. "We cannot delay this matter any further. It has gone on for almost a week, and I think the public is becoming frustrated and most deputies in the House are becoming equally frustrated."

Mr Spring said he resented the implication that somebody was beholden to somebody. "We are not beholden to anybody. No member of this Government I would hope no member of this House, is beholden to anybody." The Government would continue its efforts to have the report published.

Ms Harney responded: "How long are we going to wait before the family agree to publish this report?"

Mr Michael Finucane (FG, Limerick West) said Ms Harney should not be opportunistic.

Ms Harney replied that she was not being opportunistic. "Listen, we have waited nearly a week, and I am not taking that nonsense. How long are we going to wait for a response?"

Mr Spring said the Government was making every effort to have the matter sorted out as quickly and as expeditiously as possible. "And whether the leader of the Progressive Democrats likes it or not, there are legal constraints relating to matters such as this. I assume that, as somebody who has been a Minister of State, she should be aware of that. Individuals have rights. They have rights under natural justice and under the law. And those rights have to be respected."

Ms Harney said members of the House had the power to ensure that the facts came out. "We should use the powers that we have."

Earlier, Mr Spring undertook to keep the party leaders informed of developments over the weekend. He would also continue with his own investigations into the matter.

Replying to the Fianna Fail leader, Mr Bertie Ahern, the Tanaiste said he would be open to having discussions with the other parties on the Electoral Bill, providing for State funding of political parties.

"Work is at a very advanced stage. It should be possible to conclude that work within a matter of, days. It should be done as a matter of urgency had suggested that the party leaders, whips and chairpersons come together to try to resolve the issue so the Bill could be brought forward in the next session. There were other issues to be tackled, such as the review of members pay and conditions, "because there are pressures on marry people. It is not all one side

He said he did not want to give the public the impression that members of the House were affluent, "because my colleagues are not, on any side of the House".