Tanaiste stresses need to act on report

THE question of setting up a tribunal of inquiry into the Dunnes Stores payments to politicians controversy was discussed on the Order of Business in the Dail.

The Tanaiste, Mr Spring, said that it was very important that the matter be explored as quickly as possible and within the confines of the rule of law which had to be observed.

Mr Spring revealed that the Government was meeting at 6.30 p.m. to consider the Price Waterhouse report. "It would be our intention to move as quickly as possible. I do not wish to preempt any Government decision, but as you know the Taoiseach intimated yesterday that we will be looking at the setting up of a tribunal. I think it is very important that we take steps as quickly and as expeditiously as possible to clear the air relating to this whole matter."

The Fianna Fail leader, Mr, Bertie Ahern, said it was wholly unsatisfactory that a position arose whereby what led to the investigation in the first place seemed to be lost. There seemed to be millions of pounds floating around with nobody knowing who had received them.

Some newspaper articles had cast a slur on all politicians, he said. He wanted to reject an allegation, contained in at least two morning newspapers, that the report was circulated quickly on Tuesday because no other politicians (apart from Mr Michael Lowry) were mentioned.

"As far as I am concerned, I don't care what politicians are mentioned. I want to see this matter dealt with. And I really think this day should not pass without the Government clearly stating what action it intends taking."

Mr Spring said that last December there had been headlines referring to payments of £5 million and £6 million. "Let the people who wrote those headlines come before the tribunal, and let them justify what they were saying. And I think the sooner we do that the better."

The PD leader, Ms Mary Harney, said it, was important to act quickly. Given that the Buchanan inquiry could not trace, 63 per cent of the payments, she did not think it was, fair to expect the media, who did not have as much access as Judge Buchanan, to be able to trace them. "The sooner the tribunal is established, the sooner the controversy will end."