Michael Noonan
Question:3 Mr. Noonan asked the Taoiseach if he will outline the agreement or understanding between the Government and Deputy Cooper-Flynn; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11548/01]
Ceisteanna – Questions. - Agreements with Members.
Ruairí Quinn
Question:4 Mr. Quinn asked the Taoiseach the understanding which exists between the Government and Deputy Cooper-Flynn; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12884/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 3 and 4 together.
There is no agreement or understanding, written or otherwise, between the Government and Deputy Cooper-Flynn.
Was Deputy Cooper-Flynn included in a recent briefing for Fianna Fáil Oireachtas Members in Mayo given by the Taoiseach and two Ministers of State? In that context, what rights and privileges, which are extended to Fianna Fáil Deputies, are denied to Deputy Cooper-Flynn other than the right to attend the parliamentary party meeting?
It is correct that there was a meeting but it was not a briefing. The meeting was arranged on the day of the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party meeting to expel Deputy Cooper-Flynn from the parliamentary party. The meeting was re-arranged and as the Deputy was due to attend on the first occasion to put forward views about her constituency and as she was one of the people who asked for the meeting, she attended on the second occasion. It was nothing more than that.
The Taoiseach is not responsible to this House for Fianna Fáil party matters.
I understand that, but the Taoiseach is answerable to this House for his actions as Taoiseach. This was not an exceptional incident as stated by him. Similar arrangements were made for Deputy Foley when the Minister for the Environment and Local Government visited Kerry. I am trying to establish whether the removal of the whip from Fianna Fáil Deputies has any status other than losing the right to attend parliamentary party meetings. Is there any other sanction?
The Taoiseach is clearly not responsible to this House for those matters.
I am trying to establish whether the Government majority, which existed four years ago, is still the same as it was then and whether the Taoiseach has the support of all the Deputies who supported him on that day.
That was decided by a vote of the House.
The Taoiseach and his party have expelled a number of Deputies from their party, but it seems to be mere tokenism.
That was a decision of the party. They are not answerable to the House for decisions they make in the party rooms.
What about Deputy Lowry?
I am not asking about decisions made by the party. I am asking about decisions made by the Taoiseach and his Cabinet Ministers to include these Deputies in briefings by them. That is not the Taoiseach acting as president of Fianna Fáil, but as Taoiseach.
The Taoiseach is not answerable to this House for the way he operates within his own party.
I meet deputations, including members of all parties in the House, on a regular basis. As a courtesy to any Member of the Oireachtas, I will meet him or her whenever I can. No member of the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party likes to be expelled from the party. Being out of the party carries substantive penalties for the Deputy. The whole basis of the party's operation and contact with it is precluded from such people on a day-to-day basis.
The Taoiseach is quoted in The Irish Times of 12 May as wishing Deputy Cooper-Flynn well in her appeal. Arising from this, do I take it that he does not wish RTE well in the appeal. It is a serious question. What did he mean by it?
I want to write this down.
I was informed the other morning that Deputy Cooper-Flynn would appeal her case and I said I wished her well.
What does that mean? Does the Taoiseach not think it extraordinary he has chosen to be partisan in his comments in a case involving the State broadcasting authority and a Member of the House?
I wish them all well, and I hope it does not cost them too much money.
The Taoiseach also wishes the judge well.
And the jury and everybody else – the best of luck to them.