Those who betrayed voters should lose pensions, says TD

FINE GAEL TD Jerry Buttimer said he hoped people would be “imprisoned, have their pensions removed and be stripped of their dignity” following the Mahon tribunal report.

“By their actions, they have denigrated every deputy,” he added.

Mr Buttimer said there must be consequences for those who betrayed standards.

Speaking on the final day of the three-day debate on the report, the Cork South Central TD said it showed certain politicians had betrayed the sacred trust bestowed by people when they cast their votes. Those politicians had given a solemn undertaking, he added.

“The report has damaged everyone in politics, not just those against whom the tribunal found,” he added.

Michael Colreavy (SF, Sligo-North Leitrim) said they could not rest secure in the knowledge that corruption was not happening today. “Just yesterday, every member of the Oireachtas received an email which outlined serious allegations against a named judge, the Garda and the planning authorities,” he added.

“If true, these allegations would lead me to believe there was a conspiracy against the democratic and legal rights of a law-abiding citizen of this State.”

Eamon Maloney (Labour, Dublin South West) said that while he was not defending developer Tom Gilmartin, he had been vilified. Like himself, he added, Mr Gilmartin had to emigrate to Britain and elsewhere at some stage.

“Ironically, he came back to this country having been abroad and found himself in this building with a minister, Pádraig Flynn, wearing his Armani suit, trying to take €50,000 from his pocket,” said Mr Maloney. “He then found himself out in Co Dublin faced by men in black glasses who would not show their faces under the guise of being republicans.”

Mr Maloney said he had a very simple analysis of people in high places who took corrupt payments. “I know what they should do: they should do time in jail.”

Charlie McConalogue (FF, Donegal North East) said members of other parties were referring to Fianna Fáil as if the party had been the subject of the tribunal findings and that it was corrupt. “I wish to make it clear that Fianna Fáil is not a corrupt party and neither is its membership.

“Some members of the party who held very high office have been found against by the tribunal and this fact is a betrayal of the membership and what Fianna Fáil stands for.”

Mr McConalogue said Fianna Fáil was made up of good and honest people who had joined the party for the right reasons.