THE DUNNES payments tribunal should reconvene to allow the Taoiseach answer questions about his role in Fine Gael fundraising, says Fianna Fail's law reform spokesman, Mr Willie O'Dea.
"Further evidence has now emerged which, in addition to what is already known, seems to lead to the conclusion that the Taoiseach misled the beef tribunal while giving evidence under oath," he said in a statement yesterday.
Mr Bruton, he said, had told the beef tribunal under oath that, as leader, he might have become aware of some financial contributions on a random basis but was not systematically informed about such donations to Fine Gael. It had now emerged, he said, that the Taoiseach had personally solicited money as leader and had been informed about payments to the party.
"Mr Bruton is shortly to seek a mandate from the Irish people to become Taoiseach," Mr O'Dea said. "It is of central importance - that these matters are resolved before the people are called upon to decide who should lead the country into the next millennium. Alan Dukes must also state clearly why he failed to correct the false evidence given by Mr Bruton to the beef tribunal."
Mr O'Dea called on the Tanaiste, Mr Spring, to state where he stood on the matter, "or is he prepared, by his continued silence, to condone Mr Bruton's evidence on oath to the beef tribunal in view of what has now emerged?"