Dáil Report: The Government will allow Dáil time next week for statements on the controversy surrounding the Taoiseach's financial affairs but has so far refused to allow a question and answer session.
During a stormy Dáil meeting, Government chief whip Tom Kitt intervened when the Opposition clamoured for further discussion on the payment Mr Ahern received for a speaking engagement in Manchester in the 1990s. After a meeting with chief whips he proposed Government time for statements but ruled out questions.
The Opposition had also demanded to know whether Tánaiste Michael McDowell approved of the Manchester payment. Mr McDowell did not answer questions about the money but said that "the Taoiseach will answer any questions that pertain to himself or his public functions in this House".
He later told deputies that "every member of this House is entitled to accountability. Nobody is entitled to hide behind the procedures of this House to avoid accountability".
Mr McDowell had given his backing to the Government when he said in response to questions about the PDs' support for the Government, that "that is not in question. The Progressive Democrats' members were elected with a mandate to govern and we intend to discharge that mandate so the people get the kind of Government they need and deserve."
Mr McDowell's remarks, as he took the Order of Business as Tánaiste for the first time, came before Mr Ahern commented in Ballyjamesduff, Co Cavan, about the Manchester payments.
Opposition leaders had sought a statement from Mr Ahern and a question and answer session. There was uproar, however, when the Tánaiste suggested that they could use standard Dáil procedures to pursue the issue.
Fine Gael deputy leader Richard Bruton said that "we were lectured on the importance of the Houses of the Oireachtas being the place where accountability should occur. The Tánaiste then comes to the House and fails to answer any of the questions that were put to him."
Labour leader Pat Rabbitte said: "I cannot believe this is the same deputy McDowell who came into the House on the Opposition side and called for accountability and standards for many years."
Green Party TD John Gormley said the Tánaiste would not answer questions because "they are embarrassing for him".
Labour's justice spokesman Brendan Howlin referred to comments by PD deputy leader Liz O'Donnell on RTÉ when she "gave us to understand there were significant unanswered questions and that the survival of the Government was conditional on satisfactory answers being provided in this House".
Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny suggested that "perhaps deputy O'Donnell made an honest error of judgment when she said that the House is the place to be accountable for these matters".
Mr McDowell said that "I stand for full accountability as does every member on these benches".
