Kenny vows to tackle corruption

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has said the Government plans to implement as many of the Mahon tribunal's recommendations as possible into tackling bribery and overhauling the planning system.

"The Mahon tribunal over 15 years brings a conclusion to a very sorry saga in Irish politics," Mr Kenny said today.

"It took years to put these 3,000 pages together and the Government will consider the recommendations of the tribunal at its meeting on Tuesday and, in so far as they can be implemented, they will be."

In a series of recommendations, the inquiry has proposed strengthening sanctions to deal with bribery and corruption.

It also recommends greater transparency in the planning process and the establishment of a planning regulator with powers to investigate corruption.

He said the Government has referred the report to other State agencies, such as the Garda Commissioner, the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Revenue Commissioners, to deal with other issues arising in the report.

In relation to the report's findings on Fine Gael councillors, Mr Kenny declined to say whether any of those named in the report are likely to face expulsion from the party.

He said Fine Gael's internal disciplinary committee will meet next week to deal with the report's findings relating to its personnel. The inquiry found that Fine Gael councillor Anne Devitt acted "entirely inappropriately" in accepting a payment of £20,000.

Ms Devitt has said her "conscience is clear" and disagrees with the tribunal's findings.

The inquiry also found that Fine Gael TD Olivia Mitchell, who was a supported of the Quarryvale project, received £500 from lobbyist Frank Dunlop while serving as councillor.

The tribunal report found that while evidence suggests Ms Mitchell did not solicit the contribution, she accepted it in the knowledge of Mr Dunlop's close association with it.

On Fianna Fáil leader Micheal Martin's plans to expel former leader Bertie Ahern from the party, Mr Kenny said the party was left with no other choice.

"The brand image of the party has been very seriously damaged by this," he said."Obviously, the party had no option in that regard."