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Dáil
‹ Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation

Michael Lowry and Moriarty tribunal

Summary

Deputy Doherty challenges the Taoiseach over Michael Lowry's evidence to the Moriarty tribunal and asks whether he questioned Lowry about alleged Doncaster deal meetings. The Taoiseach refuses to engage on the tribunal matter and instead launches into a political attack on Sinn Féin, prompting repeated interruptions from the Chair.

Go raibh maith ag an gCeann Comhairle. It is now over four weeks since I put to the Taoiseach serious claims about Deputy Michael Lowry's evidence to the Moriarty tribunal. So much for the Deputy's huffing and puffing about coming before the Dáil and making a statement. We have not heard a peep from him since. He is one of yours, Taoiseach. He is a Government-supporting TD and one the Taoiseach is going to great lengths to accommodate. Did the Taoiseach ask Deputy Lowry if he had 57 meetings on the Doncaster deal, including here in Leinster House and at Doncaster Rovers Football Club, a deal that he swore to the tribunal he had no involvement in? Did the Taoiseach ask him if he went to a rural farm in August 2002, as claimed by one of those present, to burn original documents pertaining to the deals that are at the heart of the Moriarty Tribunal investigations? Has Deputy Lowry explained to the Taoiseach how his accountant made two separate payments that originated in Gibraltar to the person who was arranging the Doncaster deal - payments that were never disclosed to the tribunal? I am going to continue to ask these questions and others until we have answers. The Deputy is one of yours. He is a Government-supporting TD. Has the Taoiseach asked him any of these questions in the past four weeks?

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Verona Murphy An Ceann Comhairle Independent

Before the Taoiseach responds, I am going to stop the clock while I address this issue. Just to clarify matters, Deputy Lowry has written to me and has asked to make a statement. I have requested further information from him. I just want to let Deputy Doherty know that this is where the matter is at. I have not received the information yet. We can start the clock again.

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We will be waiting a wee while for those things.

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We will be waiting a long time.

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Verona Murphy An Ceann Comhairle Independent

Deputies. I call the Taoiseach to respond.

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I understand what Deputy Doherty is at here. Deputy Michael Lowry is an independent TD. He is not one of ours.

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He is supporting you.

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I will say one thing. Sinn Féin needs to reflect. A funeral happened this week. While I have great time for the victims and for wife and those who have lost a loved one, the truth is that Deputy Doherty's party called somebody who murdered five innocent people in a bar and injured 16 more and who was involved in the murder of a trainee garda and a member of the Defence Forces in Derradda Woods a patriot.

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Verona Murphy An Ceann Comhairle Independent

I thank the Taoiseach.

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What Michael Lowry did-----

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Verona Murphy An Ceann Comhairle Independent

I thank the Taoiseach.

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-----pales into insignificance in terms of what the members of your movement did. Please-----

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Verona Murphy An Ceann Comhairle Independent

The Taoiseach's time is up.

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I would ask Deputies Doherty and McDonald-----

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Verona Murphy An Ceann Comhairle Independent

Your time is up, Taoiseach. I call Deputy Kelly.

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