The first signs have appeared of a fissure in the Progressive Democrats' approach to the Burke controversy. In an indication of the Government's desire to stem unease at the continuing allegations about the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Burke, the Cabinet will today draw up the terms of reference for the tribunal. A motion to establish it will be put to the Dail tomorrow.
A report by the Minister for the Environment, Mr Dempsey, on the planning decisions affecting 726 acres of land was completed last night. It will be put to Cabinet today. This report will help in deciding the terms of reference for the tribunal, which Government sources say could begin its work as early as next week.
Following the Cabinet discussions, the party whips will meet to iron out details for tomorrow's Dail debate.
The resumption of the Dail today after the summer recess is expected to be dominated by the Burke affair. But the Minister remains adamant that he will not relinquish office.
However, sources in Fianna Fail said they are worried that the ongoing allegations, although unsubstantiated, are further whittling away public confidence.
With unease reported to be widespread among the Progressive Democrats, the parliamentary party will discuss the matter again today. Reflecting the disquiet, the chairman of the parliamentary party, Senator Jim Gibbons, told an interviewer on Kilkenny Radio yesterday that if he was in Mr Burke's position he would "step down" for the duration of the tribunal.
However, the PD leadership swiftly issued assurances of a united front, saying that Mr Gibbons was speaking in a purely personal capacity. The Tanaiste, Ms Harney, takes the view that it would create a bad precedent for a Minister to step down in the face of unproven allegations.
Kilkenny-based Mr Gibbons, one of the Taoiseach's nominees to the Seanad, had not discussed his comments in advance with the Tanaiste. He subsequently rejected any suggestion that he was urging Mr Burke to resign.
Speaking to journalists in Dublin, the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, said he was unconcerned at Mr Gibbons's remarks "because I know what the position of his party leader is - that is total support for the stand we have taken".
He sharply dismissed a suggestion from the Democratic Left chief whip, Mr Pat Rabbitte, that the Cabinet temporarily delegate Mr Burke's functions to another Minister "until this matter is fully cleared up".
Mr Rabbitte argued that the person who heads the Government delegation at the Northern talks should be able to give "total and undivided attention to the task in hand", and asked, "Can somebody who is the subject of a tribunal of inquiry adequately fulfil this role?"
Asked if he would consider temporarily re-delegating Mr Burke's functions, the Taoiseach curtly replied, "No."
Ms Harney's support for the Taoiseach was unabated. But she pointed out, "We can't go on, week in, week out, with more rumours, more innuendo." A full investigation was what the public, the Government and all the involved parties wanted.