Tánaiste's briefing:Tánaiste Michael McDowell yesterday called on Taoiseach Bertie Ahern to give a "comprehensive and credible" account of his financial affairs between now and May 24th so they can decide for themselves on the issue.
Mr McDowell told a hastily convened early morning press conference in Dublin that "standards in public office are very important" and if somebody's standards were impugned, they must vindicate their reputation in the eyes of the people and stand up for their own reputation.
"It is not the function of the Tánaiste of the day or any other politician to carry out this function on behalf of any other politician," Mr McDowell said. "That is the sole responsibility of the Taoiseach."
Accompanied only by party general secretary John Higgins, with no members of the parliamentary party in attendance, Mr McDowell said failure by Mr Ahern to give an account to the people would make it "impossible" for him to credibly seek a renomination as Taoiseach in the new Dáil when it resumes.
He said he came into possession of information "from a number of sources over the last few days" which suggested accounts given to him by Mr Ahern last autumn were "incomplete".
He had wanted to evaluate that information and discuss it with his colleagues. The process he went through on Saturday was to consult and ask his parliamentary colleagues what their view on the issue was.
Mr McDowell refused to answer directly whether or not he had full confidence in the Taoiseach.
"My position is this that the Taoiseach has to explain these issues to the Irish people in order to credibly seek a further mandate as Taoiseach . . . it's the view of the Irish people that counts and they have the opportunity on May 24th to determine if they have confidence in the Taoiseach and in me by marking ballot papers on that day."
Mr McDowell confirmed that his special adviser, Cormac Lucey, was given papers by Sunday Independent journalist Jody Corcoran on Friday in relation to what Mr Ahern had told the tribunal.
Asked if he himself had seen the transcripts of what the Taoiseach told the tribunal, Mr McDowell said: "Papers were handed over to an assistant of mine in relation to those matters."
When pressed if Mr Lucey had the full transcripts and documents in his possession, Mr McDowell said: "I am not aware whether he had the full transcript, but I do know he received documentation from a particular source and that he briefed me on the subject matter of that briefing."
When asked by RTÉ journalist Charlie Bird if he was aware that Mr Lucey had the transcript delivered to him on Friday morning in a clear duvet bag with "allergy" written on it, Mr McDowell said he was not in a position to answer that question "as I do not know whether Mr Lucey had the full transcript".
He added: "I am aware that he received a document from a certain journalist. I have absolutely no knowledge as to what kind of bag it was given over to him. I do not know these matters. I was not there."
Mr McDowell told the packed press conference held in a city centre hotel he was given to believe that the monies given for the refurbishment of a house in Drumcondra was "an arm's-length transaction" and "there is reason now to query how this could possibly be so".
Asked if he thought the Taoiseach was being economical with the truth, he said: "You use your own phrases . . . I am not making accusations. I am stating what the facts are."
The Tánaiste said he did not want to go into what he had learned between October and now to convince him it was not an "arm's-length" transaction. Asked by Charlie Bird why he would not share the information he now had in relation to Mr Ahern's financial matters, the Tánaiste said the question must be asked whether RTÉ had material along the same lines.
"I am suggesting to you RTÉ has this material and I am asking you now to deny that RTÉ has this material. I am asking you in front of your colleagues. I am asking a simple question in front of your colleagues to please deny you have this material," he said.
Mr McDowell said the question of whether he and Mary Harney should be sacked was one for the Taoiseach but he did not see any reason why they should be sacked. "I am standing up and vindicating good standards in Irish public life," he said.
"We will not hand over government to one party or reduce the size of cabinet."
He said he would be meeting Mr Ahern over the next few days. "I am going to deal with the Taoiseach in private when I meet him but I am stating here, now, in public what I believe he must do."