There are prominent reports in this morning's newspapers, including The Irish Times and the Irish Independent, that Fine Gael Ministers have been advised by their party headquarters to hold functions to raise funds for the Fine Gael Party.

That is not relevant on the Order of Business.

Please let me continue. The Ceann Comhairle did not interrupt other people.

I did, actually.

I want to quote from The Irish Times: "Mr. Curran and the trustees urged senior party figures to facilitate more fundraising events included (sic) ticketed breakfast meetings or lunches with Cabinet Ministers." That smacks of cash for access and in terms of the programme for Government and the determination to limit corruption in this country, it is utterly wrong. I want to know if the Taoiseach was party to this.

What about SIPTU?

Was he at the pre-Cabinet meeting that decided on breakfast with Michael Noonan and, as it says in the newspapers, lunch with Leo? That is cash for access, no more and no less and it is utterly wrong.

Thank you Deputy Burton.

It is something that, in the context of all of the changes made with regard to declarations, I thought had actually been rooted out.

Do not be worried, Deputy Burton. Do not be worried. It is-----

It is not so long ago since it was jaunting with Joan.

It is beneath Deputy Burton to put out an assertion that the Fine Gael Party is in some way involved in corruption. It is beneath Deputy Burton to do so.

Is it cash for access?

Deputy Anne Rabbitte please. Please, Deputy Burton.

I think it is a disgrace.

Please, Deputy Burton.

Deputy Burton was pretty good at it herself.

Excuse me?

Fine Gael members and Ministers attend party functions on a regular basis.

I would like the Taoiseach to withdraw that allegation right now.

I did not hear any allegation. I ask the Deputy to resume her seat.

If the Deputy is going to give it, take it.

I request that the Taoiseach withdraws that allegation against me right now. Cash for access by various Fine Gael Ministers is wrong. It would be wrong in any democracy and it is wrong in this democracy. It should have been ruled out by all of the changes we made.

What about the SIPTU contributions?

It is not an issue that is relevant to the Order of Business.

Let me assure Deputy Burton, in her over-excitedness here, that the Fine Gael Party and its members will confine itself specifically to the legislation that governs all of these things. It was the Fine Gael Party, together with the Labour Party, that introduced this legislation and we abide by it. Again, it is beneath Deputy Burton, as a former Tánaiste and a former Minister, to make that assertion and I reject it completely.

Deputy Anne Rabbitte please.

I ask the Taoiseach to withdraw that allegation.

No, no. Please resume your seat, Deputy Burton.

I am talking about two reports in widely respected newspapers -----

Please resume your seat.

----- which interestingly, the Taoiseach has not denied.

Please resume your seat. The rules of the House apply to Deputy Burton just the same as everyone else.

What sort of party -----

Resume your seat. This is not at all relevant to the Order of Business. Deputy Anne Rabbitte please.

The Deputy can come along to one of the breakfasts.