Independent TD Mr Tom Gildea will face a motion of censure next Tuesday in the Dβil, following his allegations that former Fine Gael deputy leader, Mrs Nora Owen, accepted bribes and attempted to pressure garda∅ to clamp down on television deflector supporters.
Fine Gael, Labour and the Green Party boycotted the Dβil's proceedings yesterday in protest at the Government's refusal to offer its own Dβil time for the motion.
The Donegal South-West TD was not available for comment last night despite continuing - but unconfirmed - reports he may make a personal statement to the Dβil on Tuesday afternoon.
Fine Gael insists he must withdraw allegations that Mrs Owen accepted bribes from Cable Management Ireland and illegally pressured the Garda to harass a deflector group, which rebroadcast British multi-channel television signals in Co Donegal.
"He has apologised for the hurt, but not for saying what he said. There must be a complete retraction," said Fine Gael Chief Whip, Cork East TD Mr Paul Bradford.
The motion says Mr Gildea made "outrageous unfounded allegations" and should be censured by the Dβil for behaviour "which is totally unbecoming for a member of this House".
The Minister for Justice, Mr O'Donoghue, condemned the boycott when the Dβil resumed yesterday morning to debate legislation needed to implement an EU extradition agreement.
"Obviously, the Opposition's energy has been sapped and we have not even had the general election yet," said the Minister, who has been condemned by Fine Gael for failing to defend Mrs Owen.
Fianna Fβil Dublin South West TD, Mr Conor Lenihan, said the Opposition had boycotted the Dβil "because of a silly obsession with the lack of fulsome apologies" from Mr Gildea. Sinn FΘin TD, Mr Caoimhgh∅n ╙ Caolβin said the Opposition's boycott had deflected attention from the demand for a public inquiry into the McBrearty affair.
He said: "I see no purpose in a motion of censure and the Fine Gael pursuit of Government time for such a motion. This controversy has distracted from the real issue.
"The McBrearty case and the wider Donegal Garda scandal has been lost sight of by virtue of Deputy Gildea's allegations. Have Fine Gael taken the bait? The focus should return to the real issue."
The Labour Party has agreed to offer its private members' time for the motion, which will begin on Tuesday night and end with a vote on Wednesday.
Under the Dβil's rules, all three hours of private members' time must be used on one issue: "It is ridiculous that we should have to do this.
"This could be done in an hour if the Government agreed," Mr Bradford said.
Mr Lenihan said the Fine Gael leader, Mr Noonan, has refused to withdraw his allegation that Fianna Fβil helped to draft Mr Gildea's controversial speech.
"This is not only untrue, but Deputy Noonan has been told this on a number of occasions. His refusal to acknowledge this undermines his stated intention to ensure that unsubstantiated allegations are not made."
Fine Gael's boycott of both the Dβil and the Forum on Europe raises questions about whether the party has the commitment "to address the serious political issues" of the day," he said.
