News of the High Court decision to jail Liam Lawlor for contempt of court was welcomed this evening by the main opposition parties. Fine Gael called on Lawlor to resign his Dáil seat.
The main political parties were united in their condemnation of Lawlor’s obstructive approach to the Flood tribunal.
Labour leader Mr Ruairi Quinn described the decision of the High Court as a vindication of the tribunal. He said it sent a clear message that the Tribunals of Inquiry established by the Oireachtas were entitled to the full cooperation of everyone.
"Deputy Lawlor's whole approach to the tribunal has been found to be obstructive and dismissive ... I believe that this Government must now address its relationship with Deputy Lawlor." "Deputy Lawlor continues to occupy and work from a Fianna Fáil office; Fianna Fáil continues to claim parliamentary allowance in respect of him. Despite all that he has done, Deputy Lawlor continues to remain a member of the Fianna Fáil family. Is this acceptable?", Mr Quinn added.
"Deputy Harney remarked at one stage that she would not remain a member of any government that was dependent on anyone who was guilty of wrongdoing. Deputy Lawlor has been found guilty of serious wrongdoing by the High Court. What has the Tanaiste to say now?", he asked.
The Fine Gael spokesman on Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Mr Alan Shatter said this evening Lawlor should now resign from Dáil Éireann. "The unprecedented judicial condemnation of Liam Lawlor’s failure to comply with orders of the Flood Tribunal and his sentence to imprisonment for contempt of Court renders it untenable that he remain a member of Dáil Éireann "
The Workers' Party welcomed the High Court ruling. The party's spokesman on Justice, Mr Seán Ó Cionnaith, said "the jailing of Deputy Lawlor should send a clear message to all those who are required to appear at the various tribunals that having friends in high places no longer guarantees immunity from the law of the land".
The Fianna Fáil press office declined to comment on the High Court decision saying that Lawlor was no longer a member of the party.