Fianna Fáil donation from a person before the courts
Sargent questioned whether Fianna Fáil should retain a €6,000 donation from someone before the courts, alleging a connection to changes affecting waste operators. The Taoiseach said he had no information about party subscriptions, denied that legislation was being changed to suit anyone, and maintained that environmental laws were stringent and should be enforced.
With the greatest respect, I did not ask the Taoiseach about the legislation. I asked whether it is appropriate for Fianna Fáil to receive a donation made by somebody who is before the courts, particularly given that the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government is amending legislation and policy to lift restrictions on people operating dumps to accept waste from within their own regions? Is it not the case that, unless this cheque for €6,000 is returned, not only is Fianna Fáil accused of taking money from somebody who is seeking to lessen the legal punishment, it can also be accused of suiting the policy it is putting in place to the large waste hauliers who will obviously benefit from the relaxation of guidelines restricting dumps to accepting waste within their areas? Is it not also the case that this is not a matter for the EPA or anybody else but for the Taoiseach to set a standard and to state whether it is acceptable for Fianna Fáil to accept €6,000 from somebody before the courts over infringement of planning and illegal dumping?
Comment on this
I answered the Deputy already. I have no details on the issue of who got subscriptions from what for any party.
Comment on this
Neither am I answerable in the House for Fianna Fáil. I have no information on the matter so I cannot give an answer.
Comment on this
There is stringent legislation. I do not think it is true, as the Deputy may be implying, that the Minister is easing or amending legislation to suit somebody. No Government would do that. We have tough laws and powers to strengthen the legislation and we are doing that. Deputy Sargent must acknowledge that the reason some of those dumps existed was because we had hardly any laws, no regulations and no enforceability. We now have the EPA, tough laws and the resources, and that is why the issues are being dealt with.
Comment on this
There is no enforcement in the area.
Comment on this
There is no mixed message. There is stringent legislation and powers and it is for the organisations to implement them.
