The next meeting with the Social Affairs Commissioner has not yet been planned. The last time I met the Commissioner was on 23 December 1998, and I have already indicated this to the House. I did forward a copy of the resolution to the Commissioner with a covering letter and I propose to circulate it in the Official Report.
Oifig an Taoisigh
Office of the Taoiseach
11 February 1999
Mr. Pádraig Flynn,
Commissioner for Employment and Social Affairs,
European Commission,
Rue de la Loi 200,
1049 Brussels,
Belgium
Dear Pádraig,
I wish to bring to your attention the following motion passed by Dáil Éireann last night, Wednesday, 10 February:
"That Dáil Éireann
– noting that it has established a tribunal to inquire into allegations concerning the planing process;
–noting the necessity for the tribunal to be allowed to complete ts work independently and without delay;
calls on the EU Commissioner for Social Affairs. Pádraig Flynn, to make a full, immediate statement clarifying his position in relation to allegations that he received £50,000 while Minister for the Environment in 1989".
I am confident that, without prejudice to your legal rights or the independence of your present position, you will wish to give careful and serious consideration to your response to the formally expressed wishes of Dáil Éireann, as the body which is the democratic voice of the Irish people.
Yours sincerely,
Taoiseach