Tánaiste Mary Coughlan accused Fine Gael justice spokesman Charles Flanagan of sexism during sharp exchanges in the Dáil today.
Mr Flanagan said it was a year since the "celebrated entry" by the Garda fraud squad, accompanied by journalists, to the premises of Anglo Irish Bank. He asked Ms Coughlan about the progress of legislation reforming company law.
Ms Coughlan, who was taking the Order of Business, said that the company law (consolidation and reform) Bill, "if anybody was interested", was huge legislation. "There is ongoing work," she added.
Mr Flanagan said: "It is too big for the Minister."
Ms Coughlan replied: “If the deputy wishes to throw a condescending, sexist remark across the House, that is fine. It is very much the calibre of Deputy Flanagan, but I would expect more from him after all these years in the House.’’
FG health spokesman Dr James Reilly referred to “imagined slights’’ and tourism spokesowoman Olivia Mitchell, asked: “Where was it sexist ?’’
The Tánaiste said that the legislation would be ready at the end of next year. “I remind the House that the Director of Corporate Enforcement is an independent arm of the State, and under no circumstances should I, or any member of the House, undermine the independent investigation,’’ she added.
Mr Flanagan asked about the current position, one year later, of the various investigations under way. “Is it a matter of political will, legislation or resources?" he added. He asked why nobody had been brought to court or charged.
Government chief whip Pat Carey said the investigation was ongoing, while Minister of State Dick Roche said that the Garda was independent.
Mr Flanagan said that he wanted to remind the Tánaiste and her Government colleagues that, in the United States, a period of 91 days had elapsed between the commencement of the investigation of Bernie Madoff and his committal to prison.
“Here, there is no political will to deal with this issue,’’ he added.
Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey said that earlier in the week, Mr Flanagan had been calling on Trevor Sargent to resign because he wrote to the Garda. “And now, he wants the Government to intervene in an investigation,’’ he added.
Mr Flanagan said it was a case of “draw a blank over the real issue and avoid it as usual’’ on the Government’s part.
Meanwhile, Labour TD Kathleen Lynch asked Ceann Comhairle Seamus Kirk if he had a problem with women members of the House when she attempted to raise a recent RTÉ Prime Time interview with Dr Michael Neary.
Mr Kirk said it was not appropriate material for the Order of Business.
“A Cheann Comhairle, is it only women you have a problem with?’’ asked Ms Lynch.
“No, it is not a problem,’’ said Mr Kirk.
Ms Lynch said: “Can I ask another question? Is it just the Labour Party you have a problem with, or is it the Opposition in general ’’
Mr Kirk replied: “No, absolutely not.’’
