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Mahon Debate Redux
Read more about: Bertiegate, Blogging
Willy O Dea accuses Enda Kenny of knowing at election time of a big story that was about to break in a national newspaper. When he met the editor of the newspaper (which Willy O Dea writes for) he suggested the story was going to be huge, leading the editor to think he knew and Willy to insinuate that Fine Gael are behind the leaks damaging the Taoiseach.
Very few ministers spoke. However this may also to attempt to take away credibility from the opposition’s attack as well as a factor of time.
The debate itself was as expected, however John Gormley got dogs abuse for his speech, which was effectively a potted history of the tribunal and a recap of the forthcoming tribunal bill. He was repeatedly challenged to affirm the tribunal is unbiased and tomorrow you will be hearing all about the fact that he didn’t take that opportunity. Also he took umbridge at the claims of O’Dowd and Varadkar that the Greens have sold out, claiming they are far more ethical than Fine Gael.
Some opposition speeches were quite good tonight, landing more than one punch. Using Bertie’s own criteria of following the money trail against him, suggesting that the issue of the tribunal’s conduct is only an issue 600 witnesses on and accusing the PDs and Greens of double standards.
The debate continues tomorrow.
The story that Willie is alluding too was if I recall properly one in which Aengus Fannig met Enda on a Saturday afternoon while Enda was on the campaign trail in DSE with Lucinda Creighton, and Aengus was sitting outside somewhere having coffee. Aengus spoke to Enda about the Jody Corcoran story about the money in a briefcase coming back from England. Enda made some comment about how such a story would be huge, if it were true and Aengus ran back to his office to throw a below the fold exclusive together suggesting FG were behind the whole thing. Yet it was Aengus talking to Enda about a story that was already out.
Hang on found the “story”
http://www.independent.ie/opinion/analysis/a-brief-encounter-that-said-it-all-124560.html