Flynn `will respond only to tribunal' about allegations

Ireland's EU Commissioner, Mr Padraig Flynn, yesterday insisted through his spokeswoman that he would respond only to the Flood Tribunal about allegations of payments from the developer Mr Tom Gilmartin.

Publicly rejecting requests from journalists for a briefing, Mr Flynn's spokeswoman, Ms Barbara Nolan, said that Mr Flynn would "co-operate fully with the tribunal of inquiry if and when he is invited to do so."

Ms Martine Reichert, head of the Commission's spokesman service, said the Commission would not be commenting as it was a matter that was "sub judice".

Responding to The Irish Times at the Commission's daily briefing about when Mr Flynn would speak publicly on the issue, Ms Nolan said: "Mr Flynn has no intention of briefing journalists on this matter because the allegations that have been made have arisen in the context of a judicial tribunal of inquiry in Ireland.

"They relate to Mr Flynn's previous political career in Ireland approximately 10 years ago and before he became European Commissioner.

"Mr Flynn believes that the only way these allegations can be satisfactorily dealt with is in the context of the tribunal of inquiry which has been established to specifically examine such matters, and Mr Flynn has indicated publicly that he will fully co-operate with the tribunal of inquiry if and when he is invited to do so.

"And he has also said he will not be commenting further on the matter."

Ms Reichert said the issue was "a matter that has arisen in the context of a judicial tribunal in Ireland. "It's not for the Commission to pronounce on issues which are subject to national legal proceeding. For the time being there are no comments on this aspect of the thing. It is sub judice."

Challenged on whether the matter was, in fact, sub judice, Ms Nolan reiterated Mr Flynn's belief that the issue was best dealt with at the tribunal.