A row erupted over a suggestion by Mr Joe Costello (Labour) that it might be appropriate for the Criminal Assets Bureau to examine the "extraordinary lifestyle" of former Taoiseach Mr Charles Haughey.
Mr Willie Farrell (FF) challenged Mr Costello to repeat his remarks outside the House, if he had any proof, and the Minister for Finance, Mr McCreevy, said if he wanted to cast aspersions on someone he should do it directly.
Mr Costello noted that yesterday's newspapers were replete with stories about unpaid taxes. "Then we see the former Taoiseach has had his £2 million tax bill reduced to zero. I think, really, we're fast becoming, in the eyes of the public, a banana republic in relation to these matters".
Mr Costello wanted the Minister for Finance to be asked whether it would not be appropriate to refer the matter to the Criminal Assets Bureau. "Clearly, there is a lifestyle that is not substantiated by any funding that he could possibly have from his salary as a member of Parliament. I think there may well be a role to be examined in that respect."
The Cathaoirleach, Mr Brian Mullooly, said all these matters had been debated at great length in the House previously.
Mr Costello said he was merely asking the leader of the Seanad to bring to the attention of the Ministers for Justice and Finance that there might be a role for the CAB in this matter.
Mr Farrell said it was outrageous that a member should use the sanctity of the House to carry out a character assassination of a man who had done more for this State than any other man ever.
"Nothing wrong has been proved against that man," said Mr Farrell.
Mr McCreevy replied when he was dealing with the Bill to empower the Comptroller and Auditor General to assist the Dail Committee of Public Accounts inquiry into bogus non-resident bank accounts.
He noted that in the 70 or so years since the State's foundation, Mr Costello's party had never formed a major part of any government. During all those years, Labour continually cast aspersions on members of Fianna Fail. Mr Costello had used a typical approach to launch an old allegation which could be summed up, "I don't think this man has anything to answer for but I'll just throw in the old muck in any regard". Where Mr McCreevy came from in Kildare anyone wanting to cast an aspersion did so directly. `We do not do it in the cowardly way."