Opposition walks out over Gildea remarks

Opposition parties walked out of the Dáil today in a row over comments made by a Donegal TD about former Minister for Justice Mrs Nora Owen.

There was uproar in the Dáil yesterday when Independent Donegal South West TD Mr Tom Gildea said Mrs Owen should be investigated for abusing her powers and putting unacceptable pressure on gardaí in Donegal when in office.

In an extraordinary scene in the chamber, the House was adjourned twice before Mr Gildea, at the request of Ceann Comhairle Mr Séamus Pattison, withdrew his accusations.

Mr Gildea later apologised for the "hurt caused to her" but Mrs Owen said she had been "ruined" by the comments.

Fine Gael leader Mr Michael Noonan and the Labour leader Mr Ruairí Quinn said Mr Gildea should be censured for abusing Dáil privilege and called on the Government to allow time to debate a motion on this.

But Tánaiste Ms Harney, although expressing regret over the remarks, refused time for the debate, prompting the opposition parties to walk out in protest.

"We're staying out today, the Dáil is meeting again tomorrow and we'll see what happens tomorrow," Mr Noonan told RTÉ radio.

"Only the Government could provide the hour we wanted today to move this motion for censure and indeed to allow Tom Gildea to speak at some length and in effect to withdraw the substance of his allegations rather than making technical withdrawals," he said.

"We think the Government is complicit because they have done a deal with four Independents. Tom Gildea is one of them. And they're not prepared to offend the Independent that is supporting the Government even when they know the reputation of a deputy like Nora Owen has been traduced and seriously damaged.

"It's far too soft for somebody to go in and do this with total intent from a script and then the following day say: 'ah sure I didn't mean that at all, I'm very sorry'".