Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin has defended his decision to negotiate a government with Michael Lowry, despite previously condemning Lowry's actions in the aftermath of the Moriarty Tribunal. Martin acknowledged the gravity of the tribunal's findings but argued that he had an overriding obligation to form a stable government and that the people of Tipperary had elected Lowry. He emphasized that Lowry was not in government and should not be subject to the same level of scrutiny.
Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin has defended his decision to negotiate a government with Michael Lowry, despite previously condemning Lowry's actions in the aftermath of the Moriarty Tribunal. \In a tense press conference on Sunday evening, Martin, who is set to become Taoiseach on Wednesday, asserted that 'balance' was needed from Lowry in forming a new government.
Lowry, a former Fine Gael minister, was the subject of several tribunals in the 1990s, culminating in the Moriarty Tribunal which found that he had improperly aided Denis O'Brien's company in securing Ireland's second mobile phone licence. \In 2011, following the publication of the Moriarty Tribunal, Martin denounced Lowry's conduct as a 'deep indictment' and called for his resignation from the Dáil. However, on Sunday, Martin stood by his previous condemnation while defending his role in government formation talks. He stated: 'What I said back then stands. What was revealed in the Moriarty Tribunal was shocking and was wrong. I condemned it at the time. Still do.' Martin emphasized the need to form a stable government lasting five years and acknowledged the role of independent TDs, including Lowry, in the current political landscape. He stated: 'The people of Tipperary and the people of a number of other constituencies have elected independents. I have an overriding obligation now to form a government and to work to form a government.' He also pointed out the involvement of other independents like Sean Canney and Marian Harkin, highlighting their participation in the Regional Independent Group. Martin argued that the Labour Party and the Social Democrats were not inclined to join a coalition government, leaving him with limited options. While acknowledging the gravity of the Moriarty Tribunal findings, Martin defended his decision to engage with Lowry, stating: 'The people of Tipperary have elected Michael Lowry as well. We can't ignore that.' He further stated that Lowry, not being in government, should not be subject to the same level of scrutiny as he was during the previous government.Martin also attempted to downplay the controversy surrounding speaking time for the Regional Independent Group, a group of TDs who supported the government but were not awarded ministerial positions. These TDs, including Lowry, Barry Heneghan, Gillian Toole, and Danny Healy-Rae, are seeking to form a technical group on the opposition benches to secure speaking time. Martin stated that the Dáil would ultimately decide on the matter, emphasizing: 'They’re clearly TDs who are supporting the government, which has happened in the past. It is not for me to adjudicate on that. That’s a matter for the Dáil itself. I’m a member of government. I’ll assess the situation and form my own opinion in terms of the legal precedence that apparently may be there.' The Fianna Fáil Ard Fheis voted to approve the Programme for Government with 812 votes in favor and 62 against. The results of the Fine Gael vote will be known on Monday evening
MICHEÁL MARTIN MICHAEL LOWRY MÓRÍARTY TRIBUNAL GOVERNMENT FORMATION INDEPENDENT Tds ALLIANCE FIANNA FÁIL FINE GAEL PROGRAMME FOR GOVERNMENT
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