Two of the Independent deputies who supported Mr Bertie Ahern in the vote for Taoiseach have said that they will not feel bound to support the Government's proposals on the terms of reference for a new tribunal.
The South Kerry Independent deputy, Mr Jackie Healy-Rae, and the Independent Fianna Fail deputy for Donegal North East, Mr Harry Blaney, told The Irish Times yesterday that they would make decisions based on what they thought was right.
The Dail is to debate the McCracken report on September 10th and 11th and may vote on the terms of reference for a new tribunal then. The small-party and Independent votes would be crucial in the event of a Government/Opposition split on the issue.
Mr Healy-Rae said yesterday that the situation was "unbelievable" and was changing so fast that he could not say at this stage what form of inquiry he favoured. "I will look at the matter and decide for myself what's right and what's wrong when definite proposals are made", he said.
Mr Harry Blaney also said he would make his own decision and would not feel bound to support Government proposals. A new tribunal "should examine anything pertaining to any irregularities relating to any politician".
He believed there should be no public funding of political parties and he disapproved of large business donations funding parties. "Politicians should raise funds at local level and it should be an offence not to notify the authorities of any donation."
Mr Trevor Sargent, of the Green Party, said the tribunal should look at "major planning decisions over the last 25 years, particularly those involving large scale land rezoning against the advice of the professional planners".
It should examine government decisions in which Mr Charles Haughey and Mr Michael Lowry had played a central role and look at how political parties had been funded for 25 years. Finally, the tribunal should examine the Revenue Commissioners to find out how such large-scale tax evasion had been taking place, he said.
Mr Tony Gregory, the Dublin Central TD, said the tribunal should focus on specific issues and decisions which had "gained notoriety" rather than on one individual. "Planning in the Dublin County Council area has been a scandal for years", he said. Decisions relating to the Telecom site in Ballsbridge, the privatisation of Greencore and the awarding of the State's second GSM mobile phone licence could be examined in stages by a tribunal, he said.
Ms Mildred Fox (Wicklow) and Mr Joe Higgins (Dublin West) are on holiday and could not be contacted. Mr Tom Gildea (Donegal South West) was also unavailable.