The Tánaiste, Ms Harney, has strongly defended Mr Charlie McCreevy following the inadvertent release of two Department of Finance memorandums on the need for cutbacks. The emergence of the memorandums, which were drawn up very soon after the general election, has created controversy for the Government, and led to Opposition demands for Mr McCreevy's resignation.
Mr McCreevy was supported by a number of Cabinet colleagues yesterday when it emerged the Department of Foreign Affairs had inadvertently released the documents in response of a Freedom of Information Act request.
Speaking in Cork, the Progressive Democrats leader said the Minister's record in office had been impeccable. "I think he has been one of the best Ministers for Finance ever."
The Minister for Transport, Mr Brennan, and the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Mr Ahern, were equally forthright in their support for Mr McCreevy. Both said the proposal contained in one of the memorandums to cut €900 million off existing services referred to their expected cost in 2003, and not to the cost incurred in this year's budget.
The documents were released to the Sunday Tribune after it submitted a request to see papers about Ireland's overseas development budget. The Government Information Service said "the confidential material" had been given out inadvertently. "The relevant procedures are being reviewed as a matter of urgency," it added.