Enda Kenny accused of ‘spinning’ Fennelly report

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has rejected a claim by Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin that he was involved in "spinning'' the Fennelly Commission's report during heated Dáil exchanges.

Copies of the report, which deals with the resignation of former Garda commissioner Martin Callinan and has yet to be published, were circulated last week to individuals at the centre of the investigation for their comments.

Mr Kenny said that Mr Martin had already accused him of sacking the former Garda commissioner and misleading the Dáil on the issue.

“Now you accuse me of breaking the law,’’ Mr Kenny said.

The Taoiseach said he rejected the charges, saying that the Fianna Fáil leader knew it was illegal to make any comment on anything to do with a commission of investigation until the report was ready to be published.

Mr Kenny said: "I have already said, on many occasions, that when I receive a copy of the Fennelly Commission report that can be published, it will be published in accordance with the law.

“It is beneath you, as a member of the government which drafted the commission of investigation legislation, to come in here and make the charges that you make.’’

‘Selective leaks’

Mr Martin had asked Mr Kenny if he was concerned about “selective leaks’’ in relation to the report.

He said that the leaks seemed to be positive from the Taoiseach’s point of view.

He asked if there would be a timetable for the release of the report and a Dáil debate on the subject, instead of the Taoiseach “controlling everything and spinning everything through your favourite channels’’.

Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams also asked when the report would be published.