Ahern to take `appropriate' action when details on Foley are known

The Taoiseach said he would take whatever action was appropriate when the details of the controversy surrounding Mr Denis Foley (FF, Kerry North) were known. He added that he could not comment on the matter while the Moriarty tribunal was investigating it.

Mr Ahern was responding to Opposition demands that he comment on what he and the Tanaiste, Ms Harney, knew about Mr Foley's offshore account before its existence became public. The Leas Cheann Comhairle, Dr Rory O'Hanlon, rejected Opposition demands for an emergency debate.

The Taoiseach said he understood Mr Foley was to be a witness before the tribunal later in the evening or today. The tribunal was established on foot of resolutions by the Houses of the Oireachtas, he added.

"I further note that Deputy [Ruairi] Quinn has widely publicised the fact that he has exercised his right under the Ethics in Public Office Act, 1995, to make a complaint concerning Deputy Foley to the statutory committee of members' interests established under the Act. As indicated in the Act, that must be investigated. The words used in the Act are that a matter `shall be' investigated.

"As the Moriarty inquiry and the other matters are ongoing, I do not consider it appropriate for me or the House to comment on the matter in any detail at this time. The correctness of that view has been reinforced by the decisions of the Chair following what was lengthy correspondence on this matter on another occasion. However, my commitment to due process should not be taken as condoning any illegal acts of tax evasion."

Earlier, Dr O'Hanlon said the judicial proceedings, including evidence and the conduct of hearings, were clearly the sole responsibility of the judicial chairman.

The Fine Gael leader, Mr John Bruton, said while he accepted what Dr O'Hanlon said, his concern related to what the Tanaiste did or said to the Taoiseach and also to a member serving on the Committee of Public Accounts while in a particular position which was not being investigated by the tribunal.

The Labour leader, Mr Ruairi Quinn, said: "We are asking the Taoiseach and the Tanaiste to address a matter of grave public concern about the ethical performance of members of this House."